President Trump has selected Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as acting administrator of NASA, following his withdrawal of Jared Isaacman’s nomination in May. The announcement, made on July 9 via Truth Social, emphasizes Duffy will keep his DOT role while leading NASA during the transition.
Duffy, a former congressman, district attorney, and reality TV figure, was confirmed as Transportation Secretary in January. He now assumes NASA leadership amid a significant shakeup: over 2,100 senior staff departures and proposed budget cuts affecting numerous science initiatives.
Trump praised Duffy’s infrastructure achievements and air-traffic control improvements, calling him a “fantastic leader” for the Space Agency, even if temporarily. Jared Isaacman, whom Trump previously described as a “blue-blooded Democrat,” reportedly endorsed Duffy as “a great move”.
Duffy’s dual role underscores Trump’s commitment to aligned leadership across transportation and space, while NASA navigates uncertainty over staff cuts, science program reductions, and political oversight. His tenure marks a pivotal moment in American space policy under the Trump administration.
