President Donald Trump blasted a Republican senator — claiming he has been playing "political games" and pushing back against the president's nominee for surgeon general — calling for voters to unseat him in the Republican primary.
Casey Means, the Make America Healthy Again movement's pick for surgeon general, has faced a stagnant Senate confirmation after more than 10 months. Several key Republicans have expressed concerns about her vaccine stance, medical credentials and controversial health claims.
Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) repeatedly questioned Means on vaccines during her Senate confirmation hearing in February, which she mainly dodged. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) subsequently indicated they maintain reservations about her nomination.
Trump wrote the following on his Truth Social platform, specifically targeting Cassidy in an attack.
"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 U.S. Surgeon General. 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! Nevertheless, despite Senator Cassidy’s intransigence and political games, Casey will continue to fight for MAHA on the many important Health issues facing our Country, such as the rising childhood disease epidemic, increased autism rates, poor nutrition, over-medicalization, and researching the root causes of infertility, and many other difficult medical problems. Casey, thank you for your service to our Nation! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
Trump later suggested that voters should remove Cassidy from office in a separate post.
"Hopefully all of the Great Republican People of Louisiana, which I won, BIG, three times, will be voting Bill Cassidy OUT OF OFFICE in the upcoming Republican Primary!"