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EXCLUSIVE: Why Largest Protestant Denomination Opposes Trump’s Surgeon General Pick

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Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell / @TheElizMitchell

Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell is the White House Correspondent for "The Daily Signal." Send her an email.

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm opposes President Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, according to a letter obtained by The Daily Signal.

The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the public policy arm of the SBC, wrote a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee expressing “deep concern” over the nomination of Dr. Casey Means for surgeon general.

“Dr. Means’ displayed convictions raise a number of concerns for us as Southern Baptists,” ERLC interim President Gary Hollingsworth wrote.

Trump told The Daily Signal last week that withdrawing Means’ nomination amid opposition in the Senate was a possibility. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said that “the president stands by her and the Senate should move to quickly confirm Dr. Means as our next surgeon general without further delay.”

Is President Trump considering withdrawing Casey Mean's nomination for surgeon general? "Something like that would be possible," he told @DailySignal. "We certainly have a lot of great candidates for the job." pic.twitter.com/dg47SewSMf— Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell (@TheElizMitchell) March 30, 2026

Is President Trump considering withdrawing Casey Mean's nomination for surgeon general? "Something like that would be possible," he told @DailySignal. "We certainly have a lot of great candidates for the job." pic.twitter.com/dg47SewSMf

The SBC is primarily concerned about Means’ stance on abortion.

“First, as the Bible teaches, Southern Baptists affirm the full dignity of every human being and believe that every life is worthy of protection and celebration,” Hollingsworth wrote. “We believe life begins at conception and that all forms of abortion deny precious preborn human beings of their very lives.”

“Dr. Means has repeatedly opposed these positions and supported abortion,” he continued.

The letter highlighted Means’ confirmation hearing, in which she “skirted questions” about the chemical abortion pill mifepristone. She declined to answer a question about whether mifepristone should only be prescribed after an in-person doctor visit.

“The question of whether it should be an in-person visit is out of the purview of the surgeon general’s office,” Means said, “but I do believe that every patient needs to have a very thorough conversation with their doctor before taking any medication.”

 “I think that every medication has risks and benefits,” she added. “I think that all patients need to have a thorough conversation with their doctor and have true informed consent before taking any medication.”

The Southern Baptist Convention found it “alarming that the candidate for our nation’s top public health official is clearly noncommittal on such a powerful drug, a drug that harms women and robs innocent children of their very lives.”

The denomination also said that Means’ “blatant flaunting of prior illicit drug use is reason for alarm,” citing her “ongoing experimentation with psilocybin.”

In her book, “Good Energy,” Means recommended that readers who “feel called” should consider using psilocybin, an illegal psychedelic drug.

“Those who seek to lead others in pursuit of health and wellness would not ignore the lack of serious, evidence-based clinical data on psilocybin use,” Hollingsworth wrote. “Doing so is contrary to the protocols of the office she seeks.”

The SBC concluded that Means is “not qualified to serve as our country’s next surgeon general.”

“Should her nomination come up for a vote in committee, we urge you, with abundant cause for medical, moral, and legal concern, to oppose Dr. Means’ nomination,” Hollingsworth wrote to senators.

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