Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover

The president encouraged acting attorney general Todd Blanche to fly on one of NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's jets despite the FAA's prior objection to the planes.

July 7, 2026 at 4:28 p.m. EDT Today at 4:28 p.m. EDT


People watch a flyover on July Fourth in Washington to celebrate America's 250th birthday. (Tyler M. Andrews/The Washington Post)

By Isaac Arnsdorf
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/isaac-arnsdorf/

A dispute among Cabinet officials over who could ride in fighter jets flying over Washington on July Fourth escalated to President Donald Trump, who gave the go-ahead to acting attorney general Todd Blanche despite prior objections from Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

{snip}

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/07/trump-encouraged-todd-blanche-fly-nasa-administrators-jet/

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Read the comments if you can. I need to point out that is not news that there were objections to Jared Isaacman's request to fly in the flyover. That news has appeared here already. This article is about the kindergarten-like squabble over who got to fly with him.

Previously at DU:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221353833

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EXCLUSIVE AIRLINES
NASA Leader Flew His Vintage Jet at DC Air Show Over FAA Objections
https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/nasa-leader-flew-his-vintage-jet-at-dc-air-show-over-faa-objections-ab2e0e62

The regulator initially denied Jared Isaacman's request to fly in the Freedom 250 celebration, calling the aircraft too dangerous for densely populated areas

By Andrew Tangel, Micah Maidenberg and Natalie Andrews
Updated July 5, 2026 at 7:55 pm ET


NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in an interview there was no question about whether the flyover could be conducted safely. MATT ROURKE/AP

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew a vintage jet fighter at the Fourth of July air show over Washington, D.C., despite objections by federal air-safety regulators.

A representative for Isaacman late last month petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration to allow four 1970s-built jets to join aircraft flying over the National Mall for America's 250th birthday celebration.

Copyright 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
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https://www.wsj.com/news/author/andrew-tangel
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/micah-maidenberg
https://www.wsj.com/news/author/natalie-andrews
____________

There were tweets of course. Address altered.

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Acting AG Todd Blanche
U.S. Department of Justice
@DAGToddBlanche

It was an honor to fly over the National Mall with @NASAAdmin as part of America’s 250th celebration. Thank you to the men and women of @NASA for an unforgettable experience in tribute to our great nation.
******

https:—//x.com/DAGToddBlanche/status/2074239311571005479

[Deuxcents]

1. Don't we have a country to run? Take your thrill rides after you leave..today would be fine

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial

Aviation News
Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial

The FAA had classified the vintage jets as “very high-risk.”

Matt Ryan * Monday, July 06, 2026 at 11:04 AM ET Edited By: Zach Vasile

https://avweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1000w_q95-7.webp
Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial [Credit: Senior Airman Gabriel Jones, 316th Wing]

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew a Northrop F-5 Tiger II during the Fourth of July flyover over Washington, D.C., after the FAA had denied a request to include four of the aircraft in the event, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. The flyover later proceeded after Isaacman said the aircraft had been placed under NASA control, moving the operation outside the civil exemption request.

FAA Cited Safety Concerns

The Journal reported that a representative for Isaacman asked the FAA in late June to allow four 1970s-era F-5s to take part in the air show over the National Mall. The FAA denied the request June 30, citing concerns about the aircraft, ejection systems, prior accidents and potential risk to people and property on the ground. The denial was signed by Hugh Thomas, a senior FAA official in the agency’s flight standards division, according to the report.

{snip}

Matt Ryan
Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.