DOGE

“We dissent to implementing indiscriminate cuts to NASA science and aeronautics research because this will leave the American people without the unique public good that NASA provides. Basic research in space science, aeronautics, and the stewardship of the Earth are inherently governmental functions that cannot and will not be taken up by the private sector. Furthermore, NASA has a nearly threefold return on investment in economic activity, and supports national security by ensuring the United States maintains its lead in science and technology.”

-Just one of many points in a letter to NASA’s Interim Administrator Sean Duffy from more than 300 current and former NASA employees, labeled as the NASA Voyager Declaration. Probably employees from every federal agency could issue a similar appeal (okay, maybe not the ICE employees) given the unwarranted and poorly-targeted cuts wiping out science-driven programs. We need such statements to remember what is important about these programs, and how petty politics will diminish our nation. It’s been quite a few years since a German priest nailed a statement to a church door highlighting great abuses by Church authorities. Sometimes history rhymes.

Even if you cannot attend the protest on Monday, the site notes:

If you would rather not join this protest then there are still ways you can help. Please absolutely flood your representatives in Congress with pleas to save NASA. When you do, drive home the point that the cuts are happening now! Most of Congress seems to think that they will save NASA if they work out a budget for the coming fiscal year that funds NASA at previous levels. They don’t realize that NASA’s acting administrator, under pressure from the White House, OMB, and DOGE, are enacting “realignments” and cuts now. So please please please tell Congress that every day our nation is losing dedicated and brilliant career civil servants, contractors, and programs, that NASA is being fed into the woodchipper now. Congress must act immediately to save NASA, not wait for October 1!

For more information, visit https://sites.google.com/view/nasa-needs-help.

The White House has changed its mind on Jared Isaacman, the nominee for NASA administrator who was ready to be confirmed by the US Senate. A friend of Elon Musk, Mr. Isaacman made the mistake of giving donations to a few Democratic candidates in the past. This is forbidden unless you are Donald Trump, who has made many donations to Democratic candidates over the years, including Hillary Clinton.

NBC News noted that President Trump stated:

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.

It is not clear how political donations has anything to do with putting America first, but this is all we know to date.

Mr. Isaacman has been unceremoniously tossed aside just as Elon Musk is stepping down from his DOGE role after badmouthing the recent Republican House budget bill. Is there a connection?

All we know is that Mr. Musk is losing a friend and customer in the NASA role with Isaacman’s departure. This does not come at a good time as SpaceX struggles with its Starship rocket.

It appears Mr. Musks plans are undergoing a rapid unscheduled disassembly.

Update: Jared Isaacman tweeted about the recent news, stating, in part:

I am incredibly grateful to President Trump @POTUS, the Senate and all those who supported me throughout this journey. The past six months have been enlightening and, honestly, a bit thrilling. I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the complexities of government and the weight our political leaders carry.