A non-scientist in charge of scientists can't possibly know what people who report to him are doing. It's something like a guy who knows nothing about government being President.
I think Trump doesn't like professors because they make him feel ignorant.
Did you read his resume? Dr. Clovis holds a
B.S. in political science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an
M.B.A. from Golden Gate University and a
Doctorate in public administration from the University of Alabama. He is also a
graduate of both the Army and Air Force War Colleges. After graduating from the Academy, Mr. Clovis spent
25 years serving in the Air Force. He retired as the Inspector General of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Space Command and was a command pilot..."
The president wants him to run it and get things done and not to personally invent the next grain product. This is why past administrations and government in general failed. They confused book learning with management ability to get the job done. The president built buildings and golf course while never laying one brick or running a back hoe.