White House Withdraws Nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as Surgeon General, Taps Dr. Casey Means
In a surprise move, the White House has withdrawn the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as Surgeon General, citing doubts about her confirmation prospects. According to a report by Yahoo News, the decision was made after Nesheiwat came under criticism from far-right allies of President Donald Trump.
Dr. Nesheiwat, a medical director for an urgent care company in New York, had been scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing. However, her nomination was pulled from consideration just days before the hearing.
In her place, President Trump has nominated Dr. Casey Means, a physician-turned-wellness influencer with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. According to Yahoo News, Dr. Means has "impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials" – referring to the "Make America Healthy Again" slogan – and will work to eradicate chronic disease and improve the health and well-being of Americans.
Dr. Casey Means: A Controversial Choice
Dr. Means has no government experience and dropped out of her surgical residency program, citing her disillusionment with traditional medicine. She founded a health tech company, Levels, that helps users track blood sugar and other metrics. She also makes money from dietary supplements, creams, teas, and other products sponsored on her social media accounts.
According to Yahoo News, Dr. Means and her brother, former lobbyist Calley Means, served as key advisers to Kennedy’s longshot 2024 presidential bid and helped broker his endorsement of Trump last summer. The pair made appearances with some of Trump’s biggest supporters, winning praise from conservative pundit Tucker Carlson and podcaster Joe Rogan.
A Focus on Preventative Medicine
Dr. Means has built an online following by criticizing the medical establishment and promoting natural foods and lifestyle changes to reverse obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. She has called for more investigation into the safety of vaccines and recommends making it easier for patients to sue drugmakers in the event of vaccine injuries.
If confirmed as surgeon general, Dr. Means would be tasked with helping promote Kennedy’s sprawling MAHA agenda, which calls for removing thousands of additives and chemicals from U.S. foods, rooting out conflicts of interest at federal agencies, and incentivizing healthier foods in school lunches and other nutrition programs.
The Role of the Surgeon General
The surgeon general, considered the nation’s doctor, oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members and can issue advisories that warn of public health threats. The position is a critical role in shaping the nation’s health policy and promoting public health.
A Pattern of Withdrawals
The withdrawal of Dr. Nesheiwat’s nomination is not the first time the White House has pulled a nominee from consideration. In March, the White House pulled from consideration the nomination of former Florida GOP Rep. Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His skepticism on vaccines had raised concerns from key Republican senators, and he withdrew after being told by the White House that he did not have enough support to be confirmed.
Reaction to the Nomination
Dr. Nesheiwat, Trump’s first pick, is a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has appeared regularly on Fox News to offer medical expertise and insights. She is a vocal supporter of Trump and shares photos of them together on social media. Nesheiwat is also the sister-in-law of former national security adviser Mike Waltz, who has been nominated to be Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations.
In a statement, Dr. Nesheiwat said, "I am looking forward to continuing to support President Trump and working closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role to Make America Healthy Again! My focus continues to be on improving the health and well-being of all Americans, and that mission hasn’t changed."
The nomination of Dr. Means is a significant development in the Trump administration’s efforts to shape the nation’s health policy. As the nation waits with bated breath to see who will be confirmed as the next surgeon general, one thing is clear: the decision will have far-reaching implications for the nation’s health.
Source: Yahoo News
