1.06.2025

Less than a day after releasing detailed budget plans to cut NASA spending by 24%, the Trump  administration says it will pull the nomination of Jared Isaacman  to head the agency.

“It’s essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump’s America First agenda, and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said in an emailed statement May 31.

The U.S Senate was poised to vote on Isaacman’s nomination as early as next week.

The White House did not provide any detail about why it had lost confidence in Isaacman, a well-respected technology entrepreneur who has twice chartered private space missions from SpaceX.

“I am incredibly grateful to President Trump, the Senate and all those who supported me throughout this journey,” Isaacman wrote on social media hours after the news broke. “The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry.

“It may not always be obvious through the discourse and turbulence, but there are many competent, dedicated people who love this country and care deeply about the mission. That was on full display during my hearing, where leaders on both sides of the aisle made clear they’re willing to fight for the world’s most accomplished space agency,” Isaacman wrote.

“The president, NASA and the American people deserve the very best—an administrator ready to reorganize, rebuild and rally the best and brightest minds to deliver the world-changing headlines NASA was built to create.

“I have not flown my last mission—whatever form that may ultimately take,” he added. “I remain incredibly optimistic that humanity’s greatest spacefaring days lie ahead.”

During his confirmation hearings before the Senate Commerce,  Science and Transportation  Committee, Isaacman said he supported the administration’s plan to phase out NASA’s Space Launch System Moon rocket and Orion spacecraft after the planned Artemis III mission to land astronauts on the Moon.

But Isaacman did take issue with the administration’s plan to cut NASA science programs by nearly 50%.

Details of those budget cuts were released late on Friday, May 30, with no media briefings.

Isaacman’s severance from the administration was first reported by Semafor.

Quelle: Aviation Week