Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover [View all]
Source: Washington Post
Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover
The president encouraged acting attorney general Todd Blanche to fly on one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's jets despite the FAA's prior objection to the planes.
July 7, 2026 at 4:28 p.m. EDT Today at 4:28 p.m. EDT

People watch a flyover on July Fourth in Washington to celebrate America's 250th birthday. (Tyler M. Andrews/The Washington Post)
By Isaac Arnsdorf
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/isaac-arnsdorf/
A dispute among Cabinet officials over who could ride in fighter jets flying over Washington on July Fourth escalated to President Donald Trump, who gave the go-ahead to acting attorney general Todd Blanche despite prior objections from Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/07/trump-encouraged-todd-blanche-fly-nasa-administrators-jet/
Read the comments if you can. I need to point out that is not news that there were objections to Jared Isaacman's request to fly in the flyover. That news has appeared here already. This article is about the kindergarten-like squabble over who got to fly with him.
Previously at DU:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221353833
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EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES
NASA Leader Flew His Vintage Jet at DC Air Show Over FAA Objections
https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/nasa-leader-flew-his-vintage-jet-at-dc-air-show-over-faa-objections-ab2e0e62
The regulator initially denied Jared Isaacman's request to fly in the Freedom 250 celebration, calling the aircraft too dangerous for densely populated areas
By Andrew Tangel, Micah Maidenberg and Natalie Andrews
Updated July 5, 2026 at 7:55 pm ET

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in an interview there was no question about whether the flyover could be conducted safely. MATT ROURKE/AP
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew a vintage jet fighter at the Fourth of July air show over Washington, D.C., despite objections by federal air-safety regulators.
A representative for Isaacman late last month petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to allow four 1970s-built jets to join aircraft flying over the National Mall for America's 250th birthday celebration.
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https://www.wsj.com/news/author/andrew-tangel
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/micah-maidenberg
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/natalie-andrews
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There were tweets of course. Address altered.
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Acting AG Todd Blanche
U.S. Department of Justice
@DAGToddBlanche
It was an honor to fly over the National Mall with @NASAAdmin as part of Americas 250th celebration. Thank you to the men and women of @NASA for an unforgettable experience in tribute to our great nation.
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https://x.com/DAGToddBlanche/status/2074239311571005479