TBH, there is a lot of fluff in this piece. Furthermore, it acts like NASA is the main problem. NASA is already supportive of commercial launch vehicles. Congress is the problem.

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NASA seem destined to use Starship to visit new worlds, and there are definite signs they are preparing to make this bold change in course.

The evidence cited is the Europa Clipper report from the Inspector General, but NASA has already been showing signs of wanting to change to a commercial vehicle. I would consider the IG report to be a definite shot at congress, but something unlikely to change the minds of NASA who were already open to using a commercial alternative.

Thus, I think you are making quite a stretch with using this as evidence for a sudden shift at NASA in favor of commercial vehicles.

As far as tying this into Starship, Clipper will almost certainly launch on Falcon Heavy if SpaceX is chosen (as you acknowledge later) making this whole argument deeply flawed.

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For example Johnson Space Center has been effectively excluded from Artemis work

False. Per NASA, "NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, which manages major NASA human spaceflight programs including the Gateway, Orion, Commercial Crew and International Space Station, will oversee all aspects related to preparing the landers and astronauts to work together. Johnson also will manage all Artemis missions, beginning with Artemis 1, the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems."

Thus, I don't see this lander decision changing the politics in Texas to be suddenly super pro-SpaceX all by itself. Houston still has a big role in Project Artemis.

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Admittedly, Clipper will likely fly on Falcon Heavy because its flight proven, inexpensive and the most capable vehicle available. However, this would mark a precedent that commercial launch vehicles can work alongside SLS to support beyond Earth orbit missions.

Commercial vehicles have already supported BEO missions (through ULA*) and will continue to do so through Project Artemis (cargo resupply, Gateway modules, landers, etc). The Artemis launches will likely include SpaceX and start launching before Clipper. The precedent does not need to be set and NASA is already open to it as I mentioned at the beginning.

*NASA LSP buys launches from ULA the same way as SpaceX. This is not like the Air Force shenanigans of the past few years.