President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is nominating Dr. Nicole B. Saphier to serve as the next U.S. Surgeon General, replacing his previous nominee, Dr. Casey Means. The move comes after Means' nomination stalled in the Senate for months due to concerns over her controversial views on vaccines, birth control, and other health-related issues.
Core Facts
Trump withdrew Means' nomination, citing opposition from Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump accused Cassidy of standing in the way of Means' confirmation, calling him "a very disloyal person." Trump praised Saphier, a radiologist and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Monmouth, as a "STAR physician" with a strong background in cancer diagnosis and prevention.
Background and Context
Means, who was nominated at the recommendation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced scrutiny during her February confirmation hearing. She declined to explicitly endorse certain vaccines, including the flu and MMR vaccines, which raised concerns among senators. Cassidy, a physician himself, questioned Means' stance on vaccines, particularly after two children died from measles last year.
Saphier, a frequent Fox News contributor, has authored books critical of pandemic-era policies, including "Make America Healthy Again" and "Panic Attack." She has also expressed skepticism toward COVID-19 vaccine mandates and mask mandates. Trump highlighted her communication skills and ability to simplify complex health issues for the public.
Political Reactions
Trump's decision to replace Means with Saphier has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters of Means, including Kennedy, have emphasized her alignment with the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, which focuses on lifestyle changes to prevent chronic diseases. Critics, however, have pointed to her lack of an active medical license and her incomplete medical training as potential liabilities.
Saphier's nomination is expected to face its own challenges, given her past criticisms of public health agencies like the CDC. If confirmed, she would become the nation's top doctor, responsible for issuing health advisories and promoting public health initiatives.