A medical emergency temporarily disrupted the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on Friday afternoon. The incident led to the press being hastily escorted out of the room as the event unfolded at the White House.
Dr. Oz, a renowned heart surgeon and former television personality, had just begun his formal swearing-in when a commotion broke out. President Trump was delivering remarks when the situation quickly escalated. According to reports and video footage from the scene, it appeared that a young girl may have experienced a medical issue, prompting an immediate response from White House staff and security.
“Press out! Everybody get out, right now!” shouted Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, as reporters were hurried out of the event without explanation.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Oz to the post on April 3 in a 53-45 vote, largely along party lines. As CMS Administrator, he will now oversee health insurance coverage for more than 150 million Americans across Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act exchanges—a critical role in the ongoing effort to reform and secure the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
Despite the lack of official details on the medical incident, the event reflects the seriousness with which the Trump administration is handling health care leadership at a time when transparency and competence are sorely needed.
No White House statement had been released as of publishing, and further information on the condition of the young girl involved in the emergency has not yet been confirmed.
