NASA Shek-up: Trump appointed Scene Dafi as an interim administrator; Isaacman withdraws nomination on relationships with Kasturi
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (local time) that Transport Secretary Sean Dafi would now serve as NASA’s interim administrator.In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Dafi’s work in transport, saying that he was improving air traffic control systems and rebuilding roads and bridges.“The scene is doing a tremendous job in handling the transport affairs of our country, including creating state -of -the -art air traffic control system, while reconstructing our roads and bridges at the same time, making them efficient and beautiful again. He will ever be a great leader of a more important space agency, even if for a short time.
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Soon after, Dafi thanked President Trump and admitted the role.“Respected to accept this mission. Time to handle space. Let’s launch,” Dafi wrote on X.The change comes after Trump withdrew his earlier choice, Tech billionaire Jered Isaqman in late May. Isaacman was scheduled for a Senate vote to confirm as the head of NASA, but Trump canceled the nomination, citing “intensive review of former associations”.Isaacman is known for his personal space missions and is close friend with SpaceX CEO and billionaire Elon Musk. Trump said that it would be “unfair” for anyone so close to Kasturi to lead NASA, given how much NASA works with SpaceX.The President said at that time, “After a thorough review of the former associations, I am withdrawing the nomination of Jreds Isaqman by it.Musk, who was once close to Trump Ellie and led the government’s efficiency department, has recently fallen on disagreement with Trump about the President’s comprehensive policy agenda.Musk and Dafi allegedly clashed at the meeting of the March cabinet, when the Transport Secretary accused the technical billionaire of trying to set fire to air traffic controllers, CNN cited. Dafi is not the only member of the President’s cabinet who plays an additional role outside his traditional duties. State Secretary Marco Rubio is currently working as an interim National Security Advisor and National Archives.
