Donald Trump has indicated he may reconsider the nomination of Casey Means following sustained scrutiny over her qualifications. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday evening, the president suggested that withdrawing her candidacy remained a possibility. When asked directly whether he was considering replacing Means, Trump responded that the administration was “looking at a lot of different things”, adding that alternative candidates were available.
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The nomination has faced growing opposition, including from Jerome Adams, who served during Trump’s first term. In remarks to The Washington Post, Adams criticised Means for allowing her medical licence to lapse before transitioning into a career as a wellness influencer. He questioned whether it was appropriate for the nation’s top medical official not to be actively practising.
Means’s nomination has been stalled in the Senate for nearly a year, with several Republican lawmakers expressing unease over her public health positions. In particular, her views on vaccination have drawn attention. While she has acknowledged that vaccines play a role in public health, she has stopped short of explicitly endorsing certain routine immunisations, including those for children.
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The prolonged delay has raised doubts about whether her nomination can secure sufficient political backing. Trump, however, indicated that his focus remains on broader international matters, suggesting the decision on Means may not be immediate. Nonetheless, his remarks signal a potential shift in approach, as the administration weighs its options amid ongoing criticism and uncertainty surrounding the nomination.
