Donald Trump has made headlines with his recent personnel changes, including the abrupt withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination for surgeon general. Just two weeks after securing a second term, Trump announced that Nesheiwat, who has a background in family medicine and is a Fox News contributor, would be his pick for the position. However, after months of waiting for a confirmation hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, the president revealed via social media that he would instead nominate Dr. Casey Means, described as a “wellness influencer” and closely associated with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Nesheiwat’s nomination raised eyebrows, particularly due to her minimal public health experience and controversial statements regarding hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic. Additionally, she marketed dietary supplements with overstated claims about boosting immune systems, leading many public health advocates to question her qualifications for a role as significant as surgeon general.
While the reasons behind the sudden change in nomination remain unclear, Trump continues to face challenges with personnel choices. His growing list of withdrawn nominations includes those for attorney general, DEA leadership, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recently, he also shifted his intentions regarding a U.N. ambassador nominee.
This shift in nominations highlights a troubling trend for Trump as he navigates his second term with a Republican-led Senate. As the political landscape evolves, observers will be keen to see how these decisions shape public health policies and the administration’s approach moving forward.
Overall, Trump’s nomination of Dr. Casey Means could hold promise as she is positioned more closely with modern public health trends, potentially leading to a different direction for the Department of Health and Human Services.