Casey Means: Takeaways from surgeon general nominee’s Senate confirmation hearing
casey means, President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, faced questions on Wednesday about the president's recent executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate, an ingredient in weedkiller, and how that might conflict with her own beliefs about the potential effects of the chemical. The exchange, which was captured in a video clip, focused attention on Means's public positions and her affiliations.
Casey Means on glyphosate and MAHA
Dr. Casey Means, described in the hearing as a wellness influencer and author, has publicly expressed concern about glyphosate and other agricultural chemicals. She is a supporter of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, which largely opposes pesticides in food production, and is identified as an ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. At the hearing Means said, "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. "
Sen. Ed Markey’s questions and the core exchange
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., directly challenged Means about earlier comments in which she said glyphosate causes cancer, pressing her on whether President Donald Trump's executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate harms the health of families. In the back-and-forth Markey told Means, "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. "
EPA statement and the scientific contention
The Environmental Protection Agency has stated there is "no evidence glyphosate causes cancer in humans. " That position was raised during the hearing as part of the broader debate about the executive order promoting more domestic production of glyphosate, an ingredient in weedkiller, and the nominee's past public statements.
MAHA strategy, consumer protection and farming practices
Means later framed MAHA's agenda as both consumer-protective and pro-sustainability. She said the MAHA strategy was "going to make sure American consumers are protected, and that we are entering an era where we are going to prioritize helping farmers move to more sustainable farming practices. I think those are all good things. I think it's extremely important, both for our planet and our health, and I'm going to be a champion on that issue. "
Political implications noted in the hearing
Markey pressed the political angle directly, asserting that the MAHA movement was unhappy with the executive order. He said, "The MAHA movement is not happy with the Trump executive order. That's the reality. " The exchange highlighted a tension between the nominee's public advocacy and the policy choices reflected in the presidential action under discussion.
Video, related clips and publication details
A video clip of the exchange was made available in the hearing's coverage. There was also a related clip titled, "WATCH: Surgeon General nominee Means says health problems reflect nation with a 'broken heart, ' 'society losing its mind'. " The coverage carried a byline credit: By Wyatte Grantham-Philips.
Audience engagement and administrative notes
Your generous monthly contribution— or whatever you can give—will help secure our future. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm.
Copyright notice in the original material read: © 1996 - 2026 the program's production company. All Rights Reserved. The broadcaster is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization.
Note: Recent updates indicate the hearing exchange and the availability of video clips; details may evolve as the confirmation process continues.
