Senate Delays Hearing for Trump’s Surgeon General Pick
A highly anticipated Senate confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Casey Means, has been indefinitely postponed after the physician unexpectedly went into labor with her first child. The delay marks a pause in the confirmation process for Trump’s second pick for the nation’s top public health role.
Dr. Means had been slated to make history on Thursday as the first nominee to appear virtually before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, a measure accommodated due to her advanced pregnancy. Sources familiar with the situation informed CNN that the hearing was initially scheduled for just two days following her anticipated due date, highlighting the tight timeline the committee was working under. The new date for her appearance remains uncertain.
Who is Dr. Casey Means?
Trump announced Dr. Means’ nomination in May, following the abrupt withdrawal of his initial choice, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat. Nesheiwat’s confirmation proceedings were canceled amid significant right-wing criticism and scrutiny over her professional credentials. Dr. Means, 38, is a Los Angeles-based medical entrepreneur and wellness influencer whose medical license is currently inactive.
She has gained considerable recognition within conservative health circles for her outspoken critiques of conventional medicine and her strong advocacy for enhancing the national food supply. Dr. Means is the author of the bestselling book “Good Energy” and is a prominent figure in the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, a movement focused on improving public health through alternative approaches.
A Holistic Health Advocate
Dr. Means, a Stanford Medicine-trained professional, has consistently championed holistic health principles through her published works, online blog, and various speaking engagements. Her philosophy emphasizes the importance of whole and natural foods, regular exercise, and a reduction in pharmaceutical prescriptions for managing chronic health conditions. Her selection is seen by many as a clear indication of the expanding influence of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. within the current administration.
In a social media statement, former President Trump lauded Dr. Means, asserting that she “has impeccable ‘Maha’ credentials.” He further commented, “Her academic achievements, together with her life’s work, are absolutely outstanding. Dr Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History.”
When questioned about the nomination shortly after its announcement, Trump admitted, “I don’t know her. I listened to the recommendation of Bobby.” This statement underscored the weight given to Kennedy Jr.’s counsel in the selection process.
The postponement leaves the future of this key public health appointment in limbo, as the Senate committee awaits Dr. Means’ availability to proceed with her confirmation. The unexpected turn of events adds another layer of complexity to an already scrutinized nomination process for the nation’s top doctor.
Source: The Guardian
