The Power Struggle Over Who Will Run NASA Is Turning Ugly

[mahatmakanejeeves]

EXCLUSIVE * POLICY
The Power Struggle Over Who Will Run NASA Is Turning Ugly

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been steering space agency on interim basis, but Trump’s former nominee Jared Isaacman is interested in the role

By Emily Glazer, Natalie Andrews and Micah Maidenberg
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/emily-glazer
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/natalie-andrews
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/micah-maidenberg
Oct. 20, 2025 at 6:10 pm ET

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The Mary W. Jackson NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. KENT NISHIMURA/BLOOMBERG NEWS

A power struggle has emerged over who will run the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, adding fresh uncertainty about the agency’s leadership.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is NASA’s acting administrator, has told people that he wants to lead the space agency, according to people familiar with the conversations.

{paywall}

[hatrack]

1. Sure - and maybe the reality TV guy can run Treasury and the National Park Service as well!!

Just think of the money we'll save as taxpayers by eliminating those extra salaries!!!

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. He's a lumberjack and he's OK!

Sure, run NASA, why not? After all, he's as qualified for that as he is for Secretary of Transportation!

[TheBlackAdder]

3. I'm sure there's some 19 year old Guardians of the Galaxy watching MAGA fan out there.

[Volaris]

4. That kid is likley more qualified. Duffy shouldnt be in charge of a middle school bus route,

Let alone the DOT...

[LastDemocratInSC]

5. This power struggle and the instability it causes

will aid China in its quest to dominate the future exploration and exploitation of the moon. The US lunar efforts will be seen as a too little too late backstreet side show.

It's shameful.