Trump Withdraws Surgeon General Nominee Janette Nesheiwat Amid Education Controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump today formally withdrew Janette Nesheiwat’s nomination to become U.S. surgeon general. This decision comes a day before her anticipated confirmation hearing. Nesheiwat, a one-time Fox medical contributor, came under fire for her questionable medical school pedigree. This brutal scrutiny is what ultimately led to her decision to withdraw.

This dramatic announcement originally came from President Trump himself in a social media post. He announced that Nesheiwat will be moving to a new role for the Health Department at the Department of Health and Human Services. This decision marks the beginning of a new era in public health leadership for this administration. It’s the second time this year a high-profile health official has had their nomination pulled. Earlier, former Florida Representative Dave Weldon had his nomination to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rescinded in March.

Nesheiwat at the time was slated to come before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for her confirmation hearing. Right before the event, worries about her qualifications bubbled to the surface. Freelance writer Anthony Clark raised her educational credentials in an incendiary post on Substack. The more interesting story was her personal background which led to a greater exploration of her experience.

At a cabinet meeting in the White House on February 26, 2025, administration officials introduced Nesheiwat as U.S. surgeon general nominee. That makes it far more likely that the White House deemed her a top candidate for the job at the time. The recent turmoil has prompted a reconsideration of her place in the administration, insiders tell Politico.

In light of her withdrawal, President Trump has named Dr. Casey Means as his new nominee for surgeon general. These rapid shifts in the administration’s healthcare leadership underscore the problems and persistent, public, and bipartisan skepticism nominees to top ranks face.

“She will work in another capacity.” – Donald Trump