The White House on Wednesday withdrew the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, days after right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer accused the nominee of previously advocating for the Covid vaccine and promoting “DEI-focused initiatives.”
Trump confirmed Nesheiwat’s withdrawal in a Truth Social post, where he simultaneously announced that Dr. Casey Means will be his new pick for the position.
“Dr. Casey Means has the potential to be one of the finest Surgeon Generals in United States History. Congratulations to Casey! Secret Kennedy looks forward to working with Dr. Janette Nesheiwat in another capacity at HHS,” Trump wrote.
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Nesheiwat had been scheduled to have her confirmation hearing Thursday morning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
According to her website, Nesheiwat is a board-certified medical doctor who served as a medical news correspondent and medical director at CityMed. She previously worked as a medical contributor at Fox News.
Loomer on Sunday shared a lengthy post accusing Nesheiwat of being “entangled in an intricate medical malpractice litigation,” and highlighted her past support of the Covid vaccine. While serving as a Fox News contributor, Nesheiwat encouraged of the use of the vaccine and boosters.
“We have many vaccines in existence that treat a variety of non-life threatening diseases but to have a COVID vaccine, i.e. a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA that will actually save you from dying is a gift from God,” Nesheiwat wrote in Fox News opinion piece.
Loomer, who has been influential in the removal of Trump aides, said Nesheiwat’s support for Covid vaccines “render her unfit for the role of United States Surgeon General, and she should not be confirmed by the US Senate to hold the position.”
Nesheiwat did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday.
The Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, a group of more than 6,000 uniformed officers who are public health professionals, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
