Surgeon General Nominee Questioned on Trump's Glyphosate Order

Dr. Casey Means faces scrutiny over her past comments on the potential health risks of the weedkiller ingredient.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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During her confirmation hearing, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, Dr. Casey Means, was questioned by Sen. Ed Markey about the president's recent executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate, an ingredient in weedkiller. Means, a supporter of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, has previously expressed concerns about the potential health impacts of glyphosate, which conflicts with Trump's order. Markey pressed Means on whether she believes the order harms public health, and Means acknowledged the MAHA movement's opposition to the order.

Why it matters

This exchange highlights the tension between the Trump administration's policies promoting certain agricultural chemicals and the concerns raised by health advocates like Means about the potential risks of those chemicals. It also underscores the challenges facing a nominee who has taken public stances that may conflict with the administration's agenda.

The details

During the confirmation hearing, Sen. Markey asked Means about her past comments that glyphosate causes cancer and whether she believes Trump's order promoting more domestic production of the chemical harms the health of families. Means, who is a supporter of the MAHA movement and an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., acknowledged her concerns about the health impacts of toxic chemicals in the food supply. Markey pressed Means, saying 'I'm just trying to help you to agree with yourself. You've already said it in the past, but Trump is contradicting you.' Means responded that the MAHA strategy is aimed at protecting consumers and helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices, but Markey noted that the MAHA movement is 'not happy with the Trump executive order'.

  • On February 25, 2026, Dr. Casey Means faced questions from Sen. Ed Markey during her confirmation hearing to become the next U.S. Surgeon General.

The players

Dr. Casey Means

President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, who is a wellness influencer, author, and supporter of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement that opposes pesticides in food production.

Sen. Ed Markey

A Democratic senator from Massachusetts who questioned Means about the potential health risks of glyphosate and the Trump administration's policies promoting its production.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health Secretary and an ally of Dr. Casey Means and the MAHA movement.

Donald Trump

The former president who issued an executive order promoting more domestic production of the weedkiller ingredient glyphosate.

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What they’re saying

“We must as a country move away from using toxic inputs in our food supply and we must study these chemicals more to understand their effects. I am very gravely concerned about the health impacts of these chemicals.”

— Dr. Casey Means, Surgeon General Nominee

“I understand that, Doctor. I'm just trying to help you to agree with yourself. You've already said it in the past, but Trump is contradicting you.”

— Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Senator

“The MAHA movement is not happy with the Trump executive order.”

— Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The Senate will continue to consider Dr. Means' nomination for Surgeon General, with a focus on how her past statements on the health risks of chemicals like glyphosate may conflict with the Trump administration's policies.

The takeaway

This exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between public health advocates who are concerned about the potential risks of certain agricultural chemicals, and the political agendas of the current and former administrations that have promoted the increased production of those chemicals. The nomination of Dr. Means, who has been critical of chemicals like glyphosate, will continue to be scrutinized in the context of these competing priorities.