Trump's Controversial Surgeon General Nominee Faces Pushback in Louisiana

Casey Means' nomination has become an issue in the state's heated Republican Senate primary.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:21pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring fragmented shapes and lines in shades of blue, green, and orange, representing the fractured political debate over the Surgeon General nomination.The contentious nomination of an unorthodox Surgeon General candidate exposes partisan tensions over public health leadership.Baton Rouge Today

President Donald Trump has nominated Casey Means as surgeon general, but her nomination has faced significant pushback, especially in Louisiana where it has become a point of contention in the state's hotly contested Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate committee overseeing the nomination, has delayed a vote on Means' confirmation for six weeks amid concerns over her qualifications and controversial beliefs.

Why it matters

The surgeon general is a powerful and influential position as the nation's top doctor and public health spokesperson. Means' nomination has raised concerns among some conservatives and religious groups about her lack of traditional medical experience and her reported beliefs in alternative and spiritual practices.

The details

Means is the sister of White House senior adviser Calley Means, who has ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Critics have argued that Means lacks the appropriate qualifications and public health experience for the role. Some far-right commentators have also criticized Means' beliefs, including that she 'prays to inanimate objects, communicates with spirit mediums, uses 'shrooms as 'plant medicine' and talks to trees.' The Southern Baptist Convention has also expressed 'deep concerns' about Means' nomination, citing her refusal to condemn the use of abortion-inducing pills and her 'ongoing experimentation with psilocybin.'

  • Means' nomination hearing before Cassidy's committee took place over a month ago, but there has been no movement on a confirmation vote.
  • U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, whom Trump endorsed to unseat Cassidy, has repeatedly criticized the senator for not scheduling the committee vote Means needs for her confirmation to progress.

The players

Casey Means

President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. surgeon general, who has faced criticism over her lack of traditional medical experience and her reported beliefs in alternative and spiritual practices.

Bill Cassidy

The incumbent U.S. Senator from Louisiana who chairs the Senate committee overseeing Means' nomination and has delayed a vote on her confirmation.

Julia Letlow

A U.S. Representative whom Trump endorsed to unseat Cassidy, and who has repeatedly criticized the senator for not scheduling a committee vote on Means' nomination.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health and Human Services Secretary who has ties to Means' sister, Calley Means, a White House senior adviser.

Gary Hollingsworth

The interim president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention, which has expressed 'deep concerns' about Means' nomination.

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What they’re saying

“She doesn't have the appropriate qualifications. She doesn't really have any kind of public health experience, per se.”

— Mark Brewer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Maine

“The Surgeon General is the country's top doctor and a high profile public health spokesperson. Dr. Means' displayed convictions raise a number of concerns for us as Southern Baptists. We urge opposition to Dr. Means' nomination.”

— Gary Hollingsworth, Interim President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention

What’s next

The Senate committee chaired by Senator Cassidy has not yet scheduled a vote on Means' nomination, and there does not seem to be any immediate plans to bring her nomination up for a vote.

The takeaway

Means' nomination as surgeon general has become a contentious political issue, with concerns raised about her qualifications and beliefs by both medical experts and religious groups. The delay in her confirmation process highlights the partisan divisions and power struggles within the Republican party.