With Jared Isaacman Out, Is NASA in Deeper Trouble?

Gizmodo

2 days ago

In a surprise move, President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. The private astronaut's prospective role as NASA administrator was seen by the space community as a welcomed change to the agency during a critical time, with looming budget cuts and several of its missions on the chopping block. With Isaacman out, it could signal dark times for NASA.
The White House announced the decision on Saturday, stating that 'it's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda,' spokesperson Liz Huston is quoted in Space Insider as saying. Isaacman's nomination for NASA administrator was approved by a Senate committee in late April and was headed to a confirmation vote this week. Trump's withdrawal of Isaacman's nomination comes at a time of uncertainty regarding the administration's stance on NASA's ongoing programs, including its long-anticipated return to the Moon. It also squashes hope of Isaacman leading NASA toward a brighter future, one that better aligns the agency with the private sector and adds a fresh perspective to its outdated methods.
Trump's change of heart is reportedly attributed to donations Isaacman had made to Democrats in the past, with the president citing 'a thorough review of prior associations,' on Truth Social as the reason behind him withdrawing the nomination, according to The New York Times. Although he wasn't a frequent political donor, Isaacman did donate to former Senator Bob Casey and to the California Democratic Party, as well as Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former astronaut. Trump's decision was also reportedly influenced by SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk's supposed departure from the government. Musk had lobbied for Isaacman's nomination, with the tech entrepreneur and pilot having flown to space twice on private missions operated by SpaceX. Isaacman was clearly a fan of the private space sector and a close ally of Musk.
With Isaacman out, the person next in line for the position will likely be more aligned with the current administration. 'I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. Although there hasn't been an official announcement yet, two sources told Ars Technica that the new nominee will likely be former U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Steven Kwast. The retired commander is more geared toward using space for military operations and less likely to favor NASA's science missions, according to Ars Technica. Trump wants to build a $175 billion Golden Dome defense system, a space-based weapon system designed to be a layered shield of defense over the U.S.
As NASA awaits a new nominee, the agency is also facing monstrous budget cuts that threaten some of its major missions like Mars Sample Return. Earlier in May, the U.S. administration released a so-called skinny budget, which included the funding for NASA in the year 2026. The budget proposes a $6 billion cut to the agency, 24% less than NASA's current $24.8 billion budget for 2025. The proposed budget highlights the 'objectives of returning to the Moon before China and putting a man on Mars.' It would, however, phase out NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and its Orion capsule, replacing them with commercial substitutes for the agency's upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. The proposed budget would also terminate the agency's Lunar Gateway, an in-the-works space station that would be the first to orbit the Moon, and axe NASA's Mars Sample Return in an effort to 'terminate unaffordable missions.'
In response to reports of budget cuts at NASA prior to the release of the skinny budget, Isaacman wrote on X, 'I'm a humble nominee on the outside, hoping for a chance to contribute. I don't know anything about those supposed cuts, but the President said he's targeting fraud, waste & abuse w/ a scalpel—not a hatchet.'
It's not clear what his stance was after the proposed budget was released, but Isaacman is well-liked in the space community and is generally seen as a proponent of space exploration. At the time of his nomination, several experts told Gizmodo that Isaacman may just be what the agency needs to reinvent itself during this transitional time. Without Isaacman, things are looking bleak for NASA. 'NASA is fucked,' a leading official told Ars Technica on condition of anonymity.