NASA Administrator Says He Plans To Leave Position Under Biden Administration
"What you need is somebody who has a close relationship with the president of the United States," Bridenstine told Aviation Week. "You need somebody who is trusted by the administration... including the OMB [Office of Management and Budget], the National Space Council and the National Security Council, and I think that I would not be the right person for that in a new administration." President Trump nominated Bridenstine, then a Republican representative from Oklahoma, to lead NASA in 2017. Bridenstine's confirmation became a contentious one, with many lawmakers decrying the idea of a politician running a scientific agency like NASA. "NASA is one of the last refuges from partisan politics," former Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) said during Bridenstine's confirmation hearing in November 2017. "NASA needs a leader who will unite us, not divide us. Respectfully, Congressman Bridenstine, I don't think you're that leader." Eventually, the Senate did narrowly confirm him in April 2018, with lawmakers voting along party lines.
"What you need is somebody who has a close relationship with the president of the United States," Bridenstine told Aviation Week. "You need somebody who is trusted by the administration... including the OMB [Office of Management and Budget], the National Space Council and the National Security Council, and I think that I would not be the right person for that in a new administration." President Trump nominated Bridenstine, then a Republican representative from Oklahoma, to lead NASA in 2017. Bridenstine's confirmation became a contentious one, with many lawmakers decrying the idea of a politician running a scientific agency like NASA. "NASA is one of the last refuges from partisan politics," former Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) said during Bridenstine's confirmation hearing in November 2017. "NASA needs a leader who will unite us, not divide us. Respectfully, Congressman Bridenstine, I don't think you're that leader." Eventually, the Senate did narrowly confirm him in April 2018, with lawmakers voting along party lines.