Skip to main content

Top NOAA scientist is removed from his position after he asked new Trump-appointed staff to adhere to the agency's integrity policy that bans changing research data to fit political agenda

Craig McLean, the NOAA's acting chief scientist, was dismissed from his role last month

Craig McLean, the NOAA's acting chief scientist, was dismissed from his role last month

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's top scientist has been fired after he asked new Trump-appointed staff to acknowledge the agency's scientific integrity policy, according to a new report. 

Craig McLean, the agency's acting chief scientist, was dismissed from his role last month shortly after sending an email to the new political appointees, including former White House adviser Erik Noble, the New York Times reported. 

McLean had reportedly asked them to respect the NOAA's scientific integrity policy which prohibits fabrication, falsification and manipulation of research data driven to fit a political agenda.

The message however did not sit well with Noble, a former Trump campaign data analyst who was recently appointed NOAA chief of staff. 

McLean was removed as acting chief scientist by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration after emailing new Trump appointees the agency's ethics policy, according to a NYT report

McLean was removed as acting chief scientist by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration after emailing new Trump appointees the agency's ethics policy, according to a NYT report

'Respectfully, by what authority are you sending this to me?' Noble replied, according to the report. 

McLean responded that he was ensuring the agency's rules were being followed - which was his responsibility as the acting chief scientist for NOAA. 

The next morning McLean received an email from Noble informing him: 'You no longer serve as the acting chief scientist for NOAA', the NYT said. 

He told McLean the agency had already found his replacement while adding: 'Thank you for your service.' 

A spokesperson for the NOAA told DailyMail.com McLean remains director of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research branch, which he ran while serving as acting chief scientist. 

The NOAA later appointed research meteorologist Dr Ryan Maue, a climate change critic and former researcher for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. 

Maue is a well-known climate change skeptic who in 2018 wrote an op-ed casting doubt on global warming predictions from NASA scientists 30 years prior.

He has also challenged connections between climate change and extreme weather events and most recently criticized Democrats for blaming the devastating California wildfires 'solely on climate change.'  

McLean's message drew a stern response from Erik Noble (pictured) a former Trump campaign data analyst who was recently appointed NOAA chief of staffMcLean was replaced by Dr Ryan Maue (pictured) a former researcher for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, and climate change skeptic

McLean's message drew a stern response from Erik Noble   a former Trump campaign data analyst who was recently appointed NOAA chief of staff. McLean was replaced by Dr Ryan Maue a former researcher for the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, and climate change skeptic 

Maue joined fellow Trump-pick David Legates, who assumed the new role of NOAA deputy assistant secretary last month.

Legates, a former geography professor at the University of Delaware, is also known to be a climate change contrarian, having questioned the notion that human activity is behind global warming.

The new political appointees has fueled speculation the Trump administration could change the direction of the NOAA, which has mostly remained independent, and could undermine scientific research.  

Trump has clashed with climate experts over the last four years and has even imposed stricter controls on communications at the NOAA - which is within the Department of Commerce run by Wilbur Ross.

In 2019, the president was widely criticized by weather agencies after he tweeted false predictions about the path of a Hurricane Dorian.

Trump claimed Alabama would be among US states that would 'most likely be hit harder than anticipated' by the hurricane, then one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

Within minutes, the National Weather Service office in Birmingham, Alabama, responded by saying that Alabama would not see any impacts from Dorian. 

The controversy became known as 'Sharpiegate,' after Trump displayed a modified NOAA map, which had been drawn on to depict the storm threatening Alabama.

The New York Times reported last year that Ross threatened to fire top employees after the Birmingham office contradicted Trump and that then acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had directed Ross to order the NOAA to disavow the NWS tweet.

Trump sparked controversy last year, now dubbed 'Sharpiegate' after he displayed a modified NOAA map to depict Hurricane Dorian threatening Alabama

Trump sparked controversy last year, now dubbed 'Sharpiegate' after he displayed a modified NOAA map to depict Hurricane Dorian threatening Alabama

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o