US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (local time) that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will now serve as the interim administrator of Nasa.In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Duffy’s work in transportation, saying he is improving air traffic control systems and rebuilding roads and bridges.“Sean is doing a TREMENDOUS job in handling our Country’s Transportation Affairs, including creating state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control systems, while at the same time rebuilding our roads and bridges, making them efficient and beautiful again. He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time. Congratulations, and thank you, Sean,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post.
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Soon after, Duffy responded by thanking President Trump and accepting the role.“Honored to accept this mission. Time to take over space. Let’s launch,” Duffy wrote on X.This change comes after Trump withdrew his earlier choice, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman, at the end of May. Isaacman had been set for a Senate vote to confirm him as Nasa chief, but Trump canceled the nomination, citing a “thorough review of prior associations.”Isaacman is known for his private space missions and is close friends with SpaceX CEO and billionaire Elon Musk. Trump said it would be “inappropriate” for someone so close to Musk to lead Nasa, given how much Nasa works with SpaceX.“After a thorough review of prior associations, I am hereby withdrawing the nomination of Jared Isaacman to head Nasa. I will soon announce a new Nominee who will be Mission aligned, and put America First in Space,” the president said at the time.Musk, who was once a close Trump ally and had led the Department of Government Efficiency, has recently fallen out with Trump over disagreements about the president’s broader policy agenda.Musk and Duffy reportedly clashed at a March cabinet meeting, when the Transportation Secretary accused the tech billionaire of trying to fire air traffic controllers, CNN quoted. Duffy is not the only member of the president’s Cabinet taking on additional roles outside of their traditional duties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently also serving as interim national security adviser and national archivist.
