Originally published at: Isaacman Dropped As NASA Nominee - AVweb
Isaacman is a close friend of Elon Musk, who left his post as leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Friday.
Looks like a political shake-up disguised as a staffing move. The people calling the shots likely wanted NASA as a mouthpiece for their space-and-flag agenda, and Isaacman, being smart, but too close to Musk and too independent, didn’t fit the mold. It may be that Musk’s support hurt more than helped.
Musk has been sliding losing credibility, getting mocked, bleeding money. In that light, pulling Isaacman might’ve been less about him and more about cutting ties. I like Issacman, and frankly, he may be better off. He avoids the mess, keeps his rep intact, and stays focused on real missions with SpaceX.
He handled it like a pro. No whining, no shots fired, just a clean exit. And in the end, he looks more grounded than the folks who iced him.
Be patient. 18 months or so until this merry-go-round seizes up and folks can re-invent accountability. Please, keep your fingers crossed.
One must exercise some amount of trepidation whenever a billionaire is appointed to a top level government position. Isaacman’s nomination was always dubious, and reporting, found elsewhere, explains his departure as being linked to instances of financial support for various Democratic candidates. Despite these marks against him (in the Trumpian view), he possessed a broad comprehension of the value of NASA’s science endeavor, which, in the “Big Beautiful Budget Bill” are scheduled for draconian cuts.
Just like with NOAA and the FAA, NASA is heading towards chaos and potential implosion as its brilliant and capable workforce begins to seek opportunities elsewhere and abroad. We are witnessing the brutal destruction of legacy National Treasures found in the multitudes of NASA science teams. Is this what supporters of Trump truly desired and envisioned? How in hell do you make America great by doing this?
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We make America great again by packing (and clogging) the courts, obfuscating known truths, pulling up the economic ladder, and putting loyalty above intellectualism.
And of course, gerrymandering, because we can’t win elections without stacking the deck.
Being patient Tom with fingers crossed. Interesting and telling how being made in the correct family is this administration’s top vetting priority.
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