Trump Withdraws Nesheiwat’s Nomination for Surgeon General

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the withdrawal of Janette Nesheiwat‘s nomination for U.S. surgeon general. This decision came just one day before she was set to appear for her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Trump confirmed the move during a cabinet meeting at the White House, stating that he would instead nominate Dr. Casey Means for the position. Nesheiwat will continue her work at the Department of Health and Human Services in another capacity, the president added.

Concerns about Nesheiwat’s qualifications had emerged in recent days. A freelance writer first raised questions about her educational background in a post on Substack. CBS News later reported that Nesheiwat had incorrectly stated she earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, when in fact, she graduated from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten.

A spokesperson for the University of Arkansas confirmed to CBS News that Nesheiwat completed her residency through its family medicine program in Fayetteville but did not obtain her medical degree there.

This marks the second time this year that a high-ranking health official nomination by Trump has been withdrawn. In March, the president pulled the nomination of former Florida Republican Rep. Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention amid concerns over his skepticism regarding vaccines.

Nesheiwat is known for her role as a medical director for an urgent care company in New York and has frequently appeared on Fox News to share her medical expertise. She is also a visible supporter of Trump, often posting photos with him on social media.

Criticism against her intensified when far-right activist Laura Loomer took to social media, arguing that appointing someone embroiled in a malpractice case and lacking a U.S. medical school background was inappropriate for the role of surgeon general.

The surgeon general, often referred to as the nation’s doctor, holds significant responsibilities, overseeing 6,000 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Corps and issuing advisories on public health threats.

The decision to withdraw Nesheiwat’s nomination was first reported by Bloomberg News.