Amidst unprecedented finances cuts and looming layoffs, U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy as performing NASA Administrator.
The appointment is non permanent, and Duffy will proceed main the Division of Transportation whereas assuming the NASA position, Trump mentioned in a put up on his social media web site, Reality Social.
“Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in dealing with our Nation’s Transportation Affairs, together with making a state-of-the-art Air Site visitors Management methods, whereas on the similar time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them environment friendly, and delightful, once more,” Trump mentioned.
The appointment is very uncommon. There isn’t any precedent for an performing DOT chief additionally main NASA, even on an interim foundation. Traditionally, NASA Directors have typically been former astronauts, long-time NASA bureaucrats, former congresspeople or navy veterans.
Duffy has no formal background in science or house, although the DOT does oversee the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees business house transportation and air site visitors management. As he’ll carry out each management roles concurrently, it’s seemingly that his NASA tenure shall be centered on implementing Trump’s near-term coverage objectives.
These objectives embody wide-ranging cuts to NASA’s finances that can seemingly slash many science initiatives and steeply scale back its workforce. The cuts, as spelled out within the White Home’s “One Huge Stunning Invoice,” would scale back the company’s funding by 25% and reduce headcount by 5,000.
Duffy’s appointment comes simply weeks after Trump abruptly withdrew his nomination of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to NASA Administrator. Isaacman, who made his fortune from his firm Shift4 Funds, has flown to house twice on personal SpaceX missions. Trump mentioned he rescinded help following a “thorough evaluation of prior associations,” citing Isaacman’s donations to Democratic candidates and the billionaire’s shut ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Trump’s reversal on Isaacman reportedly led to the souring of relations between the president and Musk.
“I additionally thought it inappropriate {that a} very shut good friend of Elon, who was within the House Enterprise, run NASA, when NASA is such an enormous a part of Elon’s company life,” Trump mentioned in a separate Reality Social put up.
Duffy replaces Kennedy House Middle director Janet Petro, a long-time NASA bureaucrat. It’s unclear how lengthy he’ll stay within the place.
