White House expected to pull NASA nominee Isaacman
The White House is likely to pull the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be the next NASA administrator, just days before he was set to receive a confirmation vote in the Senate, according to two people familiar with the matter.
An entrepreneur and commercial astronaut, Isaacman advanced through the Senate's Commerce Committee in April and Senate Majority Leader John Thune moved to set up votes on his nomination when the Senate returns from the Memorial Day recess next week.
The White House and NASA did not immediately comment. Trump often changes his mind about personnel and makes last-minute decisions.
On Saturday, supporters of Isaacman began raising alarm about the possibility that the White House would pull the nomination. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., said he 'strongly' opposes attempts to derail the nomination.
Conservative personality Laura Loomer suggested on Saturday Isaacman's nomination is in danger because of the nominee's friendship with Elon Musk. Musk departed the administration this week.
The billionaire nominee is one of Musk's business partners, and sought to alleviate concerns in April from some lawmakers about his closeness to the SpaceX founder.
During his committee hearing, Isaacman broke with Musk and promised to focus on a lunar landing should he become NASA administrator; Musk had called that priority a 'distraction.' NASA has been without a Senate confirmed administrator since Jan. 20, when Bill Nelson stepped down from the position.
Trump's budget proposal would slash funding for NASA and reduce its workforce, according to Space.com.
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