Things can change in an instant in Washington, D.C. But this wasn’t on anyone’s radar.
And a major shakeup in the Trump administration has the White House scrambling.
Trump Pivots Surgeon General Nomination to Dr. Casey Means
In a last-minute shakeup, President Donald Trump has withdrawn his nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for U.S. Surgeon General, naming Dr. Casey Means as his new choice just one day before Nesheiwat’s scheduled Senate confirmation hearings. The decision, announced on Truth Social, signals a strategic alignment with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement and a nod to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“I am pleased to announce that Dr. Casey Means, will be nominated as our next Surgeon General of the United States of America,” Trump declared Wednesday. He reassigned Nesheiwat to an unspecified role within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), emphasizing Means’ alignment with his health agenda.
“Casey has impeccable ‘[Make America Healthy Again]’ credentials, and will work closely with our wonderful Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to ensure a successful implementation of our Agenda in order to reverse the Chronic Disease Epidemic, and ensure Great Health, in the future, for ALL Americans.”
Trump praised Means’ credentials, calling her academic and professional achievements “absolutely outstanding.” He added, “Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History. Congratulations to Casey!”
The abrupt shift comes amid significant pushback against Nesheiwat, a CityMD medical director and sister-in-law to Mike Waltz, who was recently replaced as national security adviser and nominated as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Sources close to the White House revealed intense opposition from MAHA supporters, anti-COVID vaccine advocates, and frontline doctors.
“Everyone hated her,” one source remarked. Nesheiwat’s public support for stringent COVID measures, including urging Americans to wear “two masks” in op-eds for Fox News, left a bad taste in people’s mouths. A lackluster appearance on the network further eroded her standing, according to an insider.
In contrast, Means, a vocal health advocate, enjoys strong ties to Kennedy and the MAHA movement. Her brother, Calley Means, already serves as a special government employee at HHS, and the siblings co-authored the 2024 book Good Energy, which has garnered praise from MAHA enthusiasts and media figures like Tucker Carlson.
Calley also played a key role in connecting Trump and Kennedy after Trump survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July. “Casey Means being so close to RFK means no one can oppose [her],” a source noted, highlighting her credibility within the movement.
The decision also reflects Trump’s confidence in Kennedy’s vision for HHS, with Means’ nomination potentially uniting her with her brother in the department.
Donald Trump Jr. celebrated the move on X, calling Means an “excellent pick” and a “huge” win for MAHA.
Excellent pick. Huge for MAHA!!! @CaseyMeansMD @calleymeans pic.twitter.com/VB3NDSqAIj
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 7, 2025
Trump had previously lauded Nesheiwat, describing himself as “a big fan” in a 2023 birthday video message shared by her sister, Julia Nesheiwat, on X. “You do a fantastic job letting us know what’s happening with health,” he said.
In his initial nomination announcement, he commended her work “on the front lines in New York City treating thousands of Americans” during the COVID-19 pandemic and her contributions following “President Donald Trump’s Historic Operation Warp Speed that saved hundreds of millions of lives.”
Nesheiwat was set to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday for confirmation hearings.
With Means now in the spotlight, the administration appears poised to double down on its health reform agenda, leveraging her MAHA credentials to drive change.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
