Two top officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — both of whom led the investigation into the Trump-era “Sharpiegate” scandal — were placed on administrative leave Thursday, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Steve Volz, who heads NOAA’s satellites division, and Jeff Dillen, the agency’s deputy general counsel, were abruptly sidelined just days ahead of a key Senate committee vote on President Donald Trump’s nominee for NOAA administrator, Neil Jacobs — who was himself a central figure in the 2019 controversy.
While NOAA has not publicly provided a clear explanation for the personnel actions, the timing raised eyebrows.
“It’s an interesting coincidence that less than a week before Neil Jacob’s Senate committee vote, the two dedicated career civil servants who investigated him for scientific integrity violations around Sharpiegate were dismissed from service,” a former NOAA official told CNN.
The ‘Sharpiegate’ Fallout
The incident traces back to Hurricane Dorian in 2019, when President Trump displayed a doctored forecast map showing the storm threatening Alabama — a claim contradicted by the National Weather Service. The altered map featured a hand-drawn black line made with a Sharpie, sparking national ridicule and prompting an internal NOAA investigation.
That inquiry, led by Volz and Dillen, concluded that then-acting NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs and another official violated the agency’s scientific integrity policy by supporting the president’s inaccurate forecast.
Despite the scandal, Jacobs has since been nominated to permanently lead NOAA under Trump’s current administration, with a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee vote scheduled for July 30.
Unclear Grounds for Leave
A letter informing Volz of his leave cited an “investigation” into his “recent conduct,” though NOAA insiders said they were unaware of any specific allegations. Acting NOAA administrator Laura Grimm signed the letter.
Meanwhile, NOAA spokesperson Kim Doster told CNN that Dillen was placed on leave pending a review of performance issues “over the past several weeks,” and that Volz’s leave involved an “unrelated matter.” Still, the only known shared context between the two men remains their Sharpiegate investigation.
Implications for NOAA
Volz, one of NOAA’s longest-serving senior officials and its No. 2 civilian, has played a key role in shaping the future of U.S. weather satellite systems — including advocating for continued government-led satellite programs while engaging with private sector partners. His replacement, Irene Parker, is considered a close ally of Jacobs and now takes over the satellite division.
The shakeup comes at a delicate time for NOAA, as the agency grapples with budget cuts, low morale, and questions about its capacity to respond to extreme weather events. Those concerns were recently spotlighted during the devastating Texas floods, amid staffing shortfalls at the National Weather Service.
With Jacobs’ confirmation vote looming, the sudden sidelining of two officials tied to his past ethics investigation is sure to intensify scrutiny from lawmakers and the public alike.
