President Donald Trump indicated late Sunday that he may withdraw his nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General, following mounting criticism of her qualifications.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump signaled uncertainty about Means’s prospects and suggested he is considering other options.
“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” Trump said when asked whether he might replace Means with another nominee. “I don’t know how she’s doing in the nomination process. I’m more focused on Iran. But, you know, something like that would be possible. We certainly have a lot of great candidates for that job.”
Means’s nomination has faced scrutiny for months, including concerns from within the Republican Party. Her confirmation process has stalled in the Senate for nearly 11 months, with some lawmakers questioning her positions on public health issues.
Earlier Sunday, former Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who served during Trump’s first term, publicly criticized Means’s credentials. In an interview with The Washington Post, Adams pointed to her decision to allow her medical license to lapse and transition into a career as a wellness influencer.
“The irony would be the nation’s doctor wouldn’t even be in the corps as a doctor,” Adams said.
Means has also drawn criticism for her stance on vaccinations. While she has described vaccines as “an important part of the public health strategy,” she has not explicitly endorsed certain routine immunizations, including those for influenza and measles in children.
The White House has not announced a final decision on the nomination, but Trump’s comments suggest the administration is weighing whether to move forward with Means or select a new candidate.
