'Disloyal': Trump hits Bill Cassidy over surgeon general block and brings up his impeachment vote

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump sharply criticized Senator Bill Cassidy on Thursday, April 30, after the White House withdrew Dr Casey Means’ nomination for US surgeon general, blaming the Louisiana Republican for helping stall the nomination in the Senate.

Trump accused Cassidy of political obstruction and disloyalty, escalating tensions within the Republican Party over health policy and the administration’s appointments.

The withdrawal of Means’ nomination came after months of resistance in the Senate, where concerns had grown over her qualifications and public health views.

The White House later announced radiologist Dr Nicole Saphier as Trump’s new choice for surgeon general, marking the administration’s third nominee for the post.

Trump blames Bill Cassidy for blocking Casey Means' nomination

In a lengthy social media post, Trump accused Cassidy of obstructing Means’ nomination and tied the dispute to Cassidy’s earlier vote to convict him during his Senate impeachment trial.

“For months, Senator Bill Cassidy (of the GREAT State of Louisiana!), a very disloyal person whose ‘TRUMP’ Endorsement got him elected, but later voted to impeach ‘President Trump’ on what has now proven to be a total Hoax and Scam, has stood in the way of Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Nominee, Casey Means, for the important position of US Surgeon General,” Trump wrote.

Trump said Means had been nominated at the recommendation of Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, describing her as a “strong MAHA Warrior” aligned with the administration’s 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. 

“I nominated Casey, a strong MAHA Warrior, at the recommendation of Secretary Kennedy, who understands the MAHA Movement better than anyone, with perhaps the possible exception of ME!” Trump wrote.

He also accused Cassidy of engaging in “intransigence and political games” and argued that Means would continue to advocate for health issues outside government, including childhood illness, nutrition, and infertility research.

Senate concerns over Casey Means led to a new nominee

Means’ nomination had faced increasing resistance on Capitol Hill, particularly over her incomplete surgical residency, inactive medical license, and alignment with Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines.

Cassidy, a physician and member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, had previously raised concerns during Kennedy’s own confirmation hearings over vaccine policy and public health oversight.

While Cassidy ultimately voted to confirm Kennedy after receiving assurances that federal vaccine guidance would remain intact, he later criticized Kennedy for what he viewed as broken commitments. 

The White House withdrew Means’ nomination after it became clear she did not have enough support to advance through the Senate committee process. Later Thursday, Trump announced Dr Nicole Saphier as his new nominee for surgeon general.