FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns Amid Political Clashes with Trump Administration
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary is resigning after a tumultuous tenure marked by intense political conflicts with President Donald Trump and internal dissent within the Department of Health and Human Services. The departure stems from disagreements over regulatory agendas, including flavored vape approvals and vaccine protocols under the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative. Kyle Diamantas will serve as acting commissioner. This leadership change exacerbates existing staffing vacancies at key health agencies, raising concerns about institutional continuity and the future direction of U.S. public health policy amidst significant political pressure.
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FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns Amid Trump's Push for Flavored E-Cigarettes
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned from his post, reportedly due to pressure from President Trump to authorize the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. Makary resisted the move, citing public health concerns that such flavors entice youth addiction, but ultimately yielded after Trump scolded him for delaying the approval. This event highlights growing chaos within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose anti-vaccine stances and neglect of a significant measles outbreak have drawn sharp criticism. The article notes that key health agencies, including the CDC and the Office of the Surgeon General, are currently led by acting officials rather than Senate-confirmed appointees. Critics argue that this lack of permanent leadership, combined with political interference in scientific regulatory decisions, has left the nation's health infrastructure rudderless. The resignation underscores the tension between the administration's pro-industry promises and established public health protocols, resulting in a beleaguered HHS struggling with vacancies and internal conflict.
TechdirtFDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns Amid Internal Turmoil
Marty Makary is resigning as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following a tumultuous tenure lasting slightly over a year. Kyle Diamantas, the agency’s top food regulator, will assume the role of acting commissioner during the transition. The departure comes amid significant internal conflict within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where sources indicate that a group of officials had been unhappy with Makary’s leadership for months and actively sought his removal. Speculation regarding his exit intensified after reports emerged that President Donald Trump planned to fire him. Despite the high-profile nature of the resignation, the White House, along with spokespeople for Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., did not respond to requests for comment. This leadership change highlights ongoing instability within the federal health agency as it navigates political pressures and internal dissent. The situation underscores the challenges faced by regulatory bodies under the current administration, with immediate steps being taken to ensure continuity through Diamantas’s interim appointment while a permanent replacement is considered.
STATFDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary Plans Resignation Amid Political Clashes
Dr. Marty Makary, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), intends to resign from his position, according to sources familiar with the matter. Makary, a surgeon who assumed office in March 2025, faced increasing pressure following public conflicts with lawmakers, major pharmaceutical companies, and President Donald Trump. His tenure was marked by controversial policy shifts, including reshaping U.S. vaccine protocols and advocating for the removal of artificial food dyes from the American food supply. Notably, he supported removing COVID-19 vaccines from the immunization schedule for healthy children and promoted new dietary guidelines favoring red meat and full-fat dairy while criticizing processed foods. Tensions escalated recently after President Trump criticized Makary for delays in approving flavored vape and nicotine products. This departure follows a period of significant regulatory upheaval under the current administration, reflecting deep divisions over public health strategies and industry regulations. Makary’s resignation highlights the volatile intersection of political influence and scientific governance within federal health agencies.
ABC News: Top StoriesTrump Approves Plan to Dismiss FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
President Donald Trump has approved a plan to remove Marty Makary from his position as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to multiple sources cited by CBS News. Makary, a British-American surgeon confirmed in March 2025, has reportedly faced increasing tension with the White House over regulatory agendas. The decision follows reports that Trump pressured Makary to approve flavored e-cigarettes, a move the commissioner had previously resisted. Advisers allegedly informed the president that Makary was obstructing the administration's vaping policy, labeling him a problem for the Trump agenda. While the president declined to comment on the potential ouster during recent press interactions, the timing of Makary's termination remains uncertain, and the decision could still be reversed. This development highlights ongoing conflicts between the FDA leadership and the executive branch regarding public health regulations and political priorities. The Wall Street Journal initially reported the president's sign-off on the dismissal plan, underscoring the escalating instability within the agency under the current administration.
Home - CBSNews.comReport: President Trump Plans to Dismiss FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
President Donald Trump has reportedly approved a plan to dismiss FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, marking another significant departure among senior U.S. health agency officials. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal indicates that White House officials are concerned about the political fallout from Makary's controversial regulatory decisions. These include his advocacy for large placebo-controlled trials for Covid-19 vaccines in low-risk groups and shifts in drug approval processes under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Makary, confirmed in March 2025, is a surgical oncologist and ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His potential exit leaves the FDA without a permanent commissioner, raising concerns about institutional continuity and the agency's ability to handle high-stakes decisions on drug safety and vaccine policy. Critics warn that frequent leadership changes hinder effective responses to emerging health threats. The White House has not yet named a successor or officially confirmed the report, leaving the future direction of FDA regulations uncertain.
PharmExec articlesTrump Reportedly Plans to Dismiss FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
President Donald Trump has reportedly approved a plan to remove Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary from his position. This potential dismissal marks another significant leadership change within the health department overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which is already grappling with vacancies for the CDC director and Surgeon General. Makary, who has served for just over a year, faced increasing pressure due to political controversies, including conflicts over the approval of flavored vapes and delays in safety studies for the abortion pill mifepristone. Reports indicate that internal dissatisfaction with his leadership and recent management issues contributed to the decision. Although Makary recently appeared optimistic about his tenure, his absence from a scheduled agency event has fueled speculation. The White House and relevant spokespeople have not commented on the reports. If confirmed, Makary’s departure would require the Trump administration to nominate a new commissioner subject to Senate confirmation, further complicating the staffing challenges at the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
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