The White House has surprisingly decided to retain the National Space Council, a move that space industry officials believe will provide crucial advocacy for space programs amidst significant budget pressures. This follows weeks of speculation that the council would be dissolved under the new Trump administration, a claim initially reported by Politico.
A source close to the discussions, speaking anonymously, confirmed that President Trump approved the council's continuation during a May 5 meeting. However, the announcement and the selection of an executive secretary to manage daily operations are yet to be formally scheduled, although the selection process is reportedly underway.
The council, dormant for almost 25 years, was re-established by the Trump administration in 2017 under Vice President Mike Pence. It served as an interagency coordinator, holding public meetings and shaping space policies. While the Biden administration continued the council under Vice President Kamala Harris, its activity level was notably reduced.
Initial reports suggested that the new Trump administration planned to discontinue the council, with no new staffing announcements. There were reports that Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and a presidential advisor, opposed the council, deeming it redundant. Vice President JD Vance, the council's future chair, has remained largely silent on space-related issues.
The reasons for the reversal remain unclear, though Musk’s public statement about reducing his government involvement may be a factor. Many in the space community view the reinstatement as a positive development, especially considering the proposed near-25% cut to NASA’s budget in the fiscal year 2026 proposal. One industry official noted that the budget cuts were proposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) without the counterbalance of the space council.
“After the space council is stood up, OMB will have a seat at the table, but they won’t own the table,” the source stated, referencing the comparatively larger NASA budgets during Trump’s first term. The presence of the council could significantly alter the outcome of future budget negotiations.