Pakistan, June 1 -- WASHINGTON - In a surprising decision, President Donald Trump has withdrawn Jared Isaacman's nomination to lead NASA, ending the billionaire astronaut's bid just days before a Senate confirmation vote. Trump announced the decision on Saturday, stating he would soon name a new nominee who is "mission aligned" and committed to putting "America First in space."

Isaacman, founder of Shift4 and a close ally of Elon Musk, was widely seen as Musk's favored pick to lead the space . His nomination had stirred debate but seemed on track for approval. However, without offering specific reasons, the White House suddenly rescinded the nomination, catching many in the space and political communities off guard.

Responding to the ne...