Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a press conference to discuss the impact of the government shutdown on air safety workers and travel at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 24, 2025. Rachel Wisniewski/Reuters

Some Trump administration officials, including at the White House, have expressed frustration with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in recent weeks as internal wrangling over who will lead NASA spilled into public view, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

Duffy, who also currently serves as NASA’s acting administrator, has said privately that he would like to not only hold the space chief title permanently, but also fold NASA into the Department of Transportation, one source told CNN.

Duffy now has competition

See Full Page