Trump Withdraws Jared Isaacman’s Nomination as NASA Chief, Promises New Pick Soon

Donald Trump has announced that he is withdrawing Jared Isaacman’s nomination for the role of NASA Administrator, and he intends to name a new candidate soon.

“I am withdrawing Jared Isaacman’s nomination for head of NASA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I will soon announce a new candidate who will put America first in space.”

According to The Washington Post, the White House informed billionaire Jared Isaacman on Friday that his nomination for the top position at NASA would be formally withdrawn.

Senate Committee Had Backed Isaacman’s Nomination

In late April, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recommended confirming Isaacman as the new NASA chief. A final vote in the Senate had been expected in the coming week.

Isaacman’s Role in Private Spaceflight

In September of last year, the 42-year-old entrepreneur took part in Polaris Dawn, the first mission under the Polaris Program, a privately funded space initiative. As the commander of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, Isaacman and mission specialist Sarah Gillis completed the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

Isaacman has been closely collaborating with SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk.