The White House has apparently withdrawn the nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA administrator. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new nominee soon.
While the White House did not elaborate on the decision, spokesperson Liz Huston emphasized the need for the next NASA leader to fully support President Trump’s America First agenda.
Trump in December said he was nominating Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur who has never been in federal government, as NASA administrator.
Isaacman has been to space twice, on commercial missions that he funded himself.
“The administrator of NASA will play a key role in advancing the exploration of space and fulfilling President Trump’s ambitious goal of placing the American flag on Mars,” Huston stated.
The news outlet Semafor first reported Saturday that the White House was expected to pull Isaacman’s nomination.
The move comes as Isaacman was approaching a possible confirmation vote. A cloture motion on his nomination, which ends debate, is eligible for a vote on Monday, according to the congressional calendar.
