WASHINGTON 鈥� Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew his nomination of Casey Means for U.S. surgeon general and said he will instead nominate radiologist Nicole Saphier, marking his third pick for the post in his current term.
Trump announced the move after Means鈥� nomination stalled in the Senate, where lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about her experience, her lack of an active medical license, and her positions on vaccines. Her path forward had been uncertain since a contentious confirmation hearing in February, with key Republican senators signaling reservations that threatened her ability to advance from the Senate health committee.
Saphier, a Fox News contributor and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center鈥檚 Monmouth facility, was described by Trump as 鈥渁 STAR physician鈥� and 鈥渁n incredible communicator.鈥� She earned a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed fellowships at the Mayo Clinic.
The switch underscores the administration鈥檚 effort to secure a nominee who can win Senate confirmation after two previous selections failed. Means, a close ally of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drew scrutiny for her views on vaccination policy, including criticism of routine immunization practices, and for leaving her surgical residency program before completing it.
Trump said Means would continue to support the administration鈥檚 鈥淢ake America Healthy Again鈥� agenda beyond the surgeon general role. The White House did not immediately provide details on the timing of Saphier鈥檚 formal nomination.
If confirmed, Saphier would become the nation鈥檚 top public health spokesperson, a role that has grown more important as policymakers and providers navigate ongoing debates over vaccine policy, preventive care, and access to health services.
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