Withdrawal of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat’s Nomination as U.S. Surgeon General
Sources have indicated that the White House will retract its nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for the position of U.S. surgeon general, a decision expected to be made just a day prior to her scheduled Senate confirmation hearing, as reported by ABC News.
Background on Dr. Nesheiwat
In November, President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Nesheiwat, highlighting her contributions during the coronavirus pandemic, notably her frontline work in New York City. Dr. Nesheiwat, known for her appearances as a medical contributor on Fox News, previously held a physician role at the Times Square CityMD urgent care clinic and advanced to become its medical director.
Concerns Surrounding the Nomination
Bloomberg first reported the impending withdrawal, subsequent to right-wing activist Laura Loomer’s calls for a new nominee due to scrutiny surrounding Dr. Nesheiwat’s medical qualifications. It was brought to light that she obtained her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean rather than the University of Arkansas, as some critics had previously assumed. Loomer also expressed discontent over Dr. Nesheiwat’s pro-vaccine stance.
Initially, Dr. Nesheiwat endorsed the COVID-19 vaccine, referring to it as “a gift from God” in a 2021 opinion piece. However, her position appeared to shift a year later when she opposed vaccine mandates for children during a Fox News appearance, despite established medical research demonstrating the vaccine’s efficacy in reducing severe illness and mortality rates across age groups.
Political Context
President Trump had previously commended Dr. Nesheiwat as a “fierce advocate and strong communicator for preventive medicine and public health.” Meanwhile, the White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the withdrawal.
Family and Controversies
Notably, Dr. Nesheiwat is the sister-in-law of recently dismissed national security adviser Mike Waltz, who has been nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz faced backlash after it was revealed that he participated in a group chat with national security leaders discussing sensitive military plans, inadvertently including an editor from The Atlantic.
Loomer has also demanded Waltz’s dismissal following the scandal. Sources indicate Loomer’s growing influence within Trump’s inner circle, where she has made recommendations regarding personnel changes. Trump acknowledged her involvement by stating, “She makes recommendations of things and people, and sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody.” He elaborated, emphasizing his approach of considering input from various advisors before reaching a decision.