NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth after spending over nine months in space. However, their homecoming was not without its challenges. A letter from the Trump administration demands that they present their passports and proof of citizenship, citing changes in the country since their departure.
Notably, the Gulf of Mexico has been renamed the “Gulf of America,” and some high-profile individuals have received pardons. The new administration is also taking a more authoritarian approach, with reports of rounding up people, denying them due process, and restricting diversity and inclusion efforts.
Astronaut Williams will be required to present her passport, while Wilmore’s name does not raise any red flags, according to the administration. However, if Williams’ credentials are deemed insufficient, she may face temporary detention or even deportation back into space.
The letter also mentions that Elon Musk has defunded NASA and subsequently fired the astronauts. The tone of the message is sarcastic and dismissive, with a clear indication that the new administration does not value its returning heroes.
This situation highlights the significant changes in the country since Williams and Wilmore’s time in space. As they settle back into life on Earth, it remains to be seen how they will navigate this “new” America.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/03/19/nasa-astronauts-return-spacex-musk-trump/82531816007