Two top Noaa officials linked to Trump’s ‘Sharpiegate’ incident put on leave

Two men led inquiry into 2019 debacle involving incorrect hurricane projections that tarnished federal agency's record

Two high-ranking officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were placed on administrative leave on Friday, fueling speculation that the Trump administration was retaliating against them for actions taken during the president's first term.

Jeff Dillen, who was serving as deputy general counsel, and Stephen Volz, who heads the agency's satellites division, led the investigation into whether agency administrators abdicated their scientific ethics when they altered the forecast of a deadly hurricane to match statements made by the president.