Trump Withdraws Nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat as Surgeon General
In a surprise move, the White House announced on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is withdrawing the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to serve as the next Surgeon General. The decision comes just one day before Nesheiwat’s Senate confirmation hearing was set to begin.
According to a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said that Dr. Casey Means will replace Nesheiwat as his nominee for the position. Trump praised Means’ credentials, saying she has "impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials" and will work closely with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to implement the administration’s agenda to reverse the chronic disease epidemic and ensure "Great Health" for all Americans.
As reported by CNN, the surgeon general is a critical position that serves as the nation’s doctor, focusing on educating and advising Americans on how to improve their health. The surgeon general also serves in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, overseeing a group of uniformed officers who seek to promote the nation’s health.
Nesheiwat, a New York family physician and former Fox News medical contributor, was scheduled to have a hearing with senators on Thursday. She is also the sister-in-law of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who has been on shaky ground within the administration. Despite the withdrawal of her nomination, Nesheiwat said in a social media post that she will continue to support President Trump and work closely with Secretary Kennedy in a senior policy role.
As CNN previously reported, Means is a holistic medicine doctor who has risen to prominence with the Make America Healthy Again movement, which has ties to Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Means and her brother, White House health adviser Calley Means, have made frequent public appearances at MAHA events and on podcasts, arguing that Americans are sick with chronic disease because the healthcare system and federal agencies prioritize medication and financial incentives over nutrition and holistic health.
Means attended medical school at Stanford University but has spoken publicly about dropping out of her residency at age 30 when she became disillusioned with the healthcare system. In an interview on the Joe Rogan podcast last year, Means said she began to question her work and looked at health trends in a different way.
The withdrawal of Nesheiwat’s nomination is not the first time the White House has pulled back a nomination for a key health position. In March, the White House withdrew its nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to direct the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention less than an hour before his hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Dr. Susan Monarez was later nominated to lead the agency.
According to CNN, the decision to withdraw Nesheiwat’s nomination may come as a surprise to many, but it is unclear what factors led to the change. The Senate confirmation process can be challenging, and it’s possible that the White House may have been concerned about Nesheiwat’s ability to navigate the process.
The selection of Dr. Casey Means as the new nominee for Surgeon General may signal a shift in the administration’s priorities for the position. As CNN reported, Means has been a vocal advocate for holistic health and nutrition, and her selection may indicate a greater emphasis on these areas in the administration’s health policy.
In conclusion, the withdrawal of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination as Surgeon General and the selection of Dr. Casey Means may have significant implications for the nation’s health policy. As the administration moves forward with its agenda to reverse the chronic disease epidemic, the role of the Surgeon General will be critical in educating and advising Americans on how to improve their health.
The news was first reported by CNN, which stated that "The White House announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump is pulling Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination to be surgeon general and replacing her with Dr. Casey Means."
This article has been written based on information from CNN.
