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Trump administration taps Matthew Wielicki to oversee National Climate Assessment

scienceJul 10, 2026271,515

The Trump administration has appointed Matthew M. Wielicki to run the U.S. Global Change Research Program and oversee the next National Climate Assessment, Politico reports. Wielicki is a former University of Alabama geochemist who has criticized mainstream climate science as alarmist and who, according to posts cited by reporters, lacks formal training in climate science. Critics quoted in coverage call him unqualified, say he spreads debunked claims, and point to instances where Wielicki used large language models to fabricate supporting sources. Observers warn that the program has already been weakened by federal officials and that placing a climate skeptic atop the assessment risks compromising the flagship report that Congress requires on climate impacts in the United States. Advocates for scientific integrity note the assessment must meet Information Quality Act review requirements and some commentators are urging Congress to block the appointment. The selection has prompted widespread public criticism from scientists, journalists, and progressive outlets that say the move could turn the report into a vehicle for misinformation rather than an authoritative climate risk assessment.

Katharine Hayhoe
@katharinehayhoe.com

It is not headed by a “climate critic“. It is headed by someone who is unqualified in this area, who cannot offer valid critiques but instead shares debunked claims, and who regularly attacks climate scientists. Like me.

98046d ago
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