The phrase “to the moon and back” is often used to express unwavering commitment. For America, this must not remain a metaphor. It’s a call to action that demands the national spotlight as our adversaries in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threaten to strip us of our spacefaring dominance. Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s nominee to head NASA, represents more than just leadership; he embodies a resurgence of American pride, a commitment to manifest destiny—our dominion, not just over Earth, but over the stars.

In Isaacman, Trump has found not only a successful entrepreneur but a man intimately acquainted with the frontiers of space. As someone who has personally walked the cosmos during a private space venture, Isaacman is resolved to reinstill NASA’s mission-first culture, an urgent necessity as America faces off against a regime that would gladly see our flag removed from lunar soil. “Space is the ultimate high ground,” Isaacman said. “We cannot afford to cede that ground,” reminding the Senate Committee of our geopolitical realities and the stakes involved.

Consider this: the CCP has ambitions to land on the moon and establish a permanent base by 2030. Should we allow them to mark themselves as the premier spacefaring nation, our 1969 moon landing risks becoming a quaint relic rather than the foundation of cosmic dominion. The implications are vast and troubling—military, scientific, and economic advantages will be poised squarely in their grasp. It’s not just another leap for mankind; it’s a strategic high ground that underpins national security and global leadership.

Isaacman’s blueprint for NASA doesn’t merely counter this; it aims to eclipse it. His focus emphasizes practical milestones: Cooperation with commercial industry, economic viabilities of moon and Mars missions, and sustained American presence in low-earth orbit. His plan involves not only meeting but exceeding goals such as landing American boots back on the moon and potentially on Mars—a vision not of celestial vanity, but as a bulwark of American influence and scientific prowess.

Critics may argue about the cost and logistical complexities involved in such ponderous endeavors—especially amid political pressures for broader government efficiencies. But Isaacman, mirroring the business acumen and strategy of Trump himself, places emphasis on reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies. Instead of priding governmental footprint cuts for their own sake, Isaacman demands accountability while maintaining the program. He focuses on knowing why projects lag and cost excessively, rather than falling prey to the tradition of scrapping existing, albeit underperforming, initiatives.

Importantly, existing elements like the International Space Station (ISS), due to deorbit by 2030, see Isaacman’s vision of being utilized to their fullest potential—not rushed to the grave. He acknowledges the foundational platform ISS offers for research and the future space economy. It’s a stance supporting a continuation of American learning, leveraging every available advantage as private industry steps into the fray.

While some may view these ambitions as a continuation of the “Star Wars” tactics of past decades, it is now neither optional nor merely a bold American statement. It is imperative. Senator Ted Cruz highlighted a somber but real possibility: the CCP’s potential to not only reach the moon but engage in cosmic endeavors with Russia before the United States manages a new lunar touchdown. Such a space race is more than symbolic—it’s about telecom domination, military might, and scientific advancement.

When American pioneers left footprints on the lunar surface, they did so embodying our core ethos—hope, innovation, progress. Jared Isaacman signals not just the next chapter of that narrative but a renewed reaffirmation in a future where America proudly leads. As we prepare to meet this challenge, resolve alone is not enough. We require a steadfast commitment. Because when history books reflect on this era, let them say: humanity’s greatest adventures were American stories.