"NOAA Pressured to Support Trump’s Dorian Claims, Report Says"

"The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration faced political pressure from the Commerce Department to support President Donald Trump’s claims last year that Hurricane Dorian could strike Alabama, an independent group concluded in a report released Monday.

The findings from the National Academy of Public Administration, a congressionally authorized body that analyzes government conduct, confirmed two violations of the agency’s scientific integrity policy.

Trump tweeted on Sept. 1, 2019, that Alabama was among the states “most likely” to be hit by “one of the largest hurricanes ever.” Three days later, he displayed a map of Dorian’s projected path, showing what appeared to be a hand-drawn alteration that included Alabama.

Forecasters in NOAA’s Birmingham, Ala., office refuted Trump’s tweet, prompting a rebuke from agency officials in Washington."

Stephen Lee reports for Bloomberg Environment June 15, 2020.

SEE ALSO:

"Report Finds NOAA 'Sharpiegate' Statement 'Not Based On Science' But Political Influence" (The Hill)

"NOAA Chief Violated Ethics Code in Furor Over Trump Tweet, Agency Says" (New York Times)

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 06/16/2020