Trump May Withdraw Dr. Casey Means’ Nomination
President Donald Trump mentioned that he is contemplating the possibility of pulling back his nomination of Dr. Casey Means for the position of surgeon general.
In a response to a question from The Daily Signal on Sunday evening, Trump stated, “We’re looking at a lot of different things. I don’t know how she’s doing in the nomination process. I’m more focused on Iran. But, you know, something like that would be possible.”
He added, “We certainly have a lot of great candidates for that job.”
Dr. Means, who previously attended Stanford Medical School, left her surgical residency to delve into holistic medicine.
She co-authored a book titled “Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health” with her brother, Calley Means, who is a senior advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Her confirmation faces challenges in the Senate’s health committee, where some Republicans, including committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, and Sen. Susan Collins from Maine, expressed doubts during her confirmation hearing.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Cassidy commented, “I just have nothing to say on that right now,” regarding whether there were enough votes to support Means’ nomination.
During her confirmation hearing on February 25, Cassidy questioned Means about her previous vaccine skepticism and urged her to endorse widespread childhood immunization programs, a request she did not fulfill.
Means remarked, “I believe that vaccines are a key part of any infectious disease public health strategy. Anti-vaccine rhetoric has never been a part of my message.”
In her testimony, she emphasized her commitment to tackling the root causes of chronic diseases, which she identified as factors like poor diet, over-medication, lack of physical activity, exposure to industrial chemicals, chronic stress, and loneliness.
Means is Trump’s second nominee for this role, following the withdrawal of his earlier pick, Janette Nesheiwat, in May. Both nominations encountered backlash from far-right activists, such as Laura Loomer.
