Trump Says FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Has Resigned

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned after months of internal disagreements and mounting criticism surrounding agency decisions.

Trump said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas will temporarily lead the agency while the administration searches for a permanent replacement.

The departure leaves another major federal public health agency without a permanent Senate-confirmed leader.

Announcement

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump confirmed Makary’s exit and suggested tensions had developed during his tenure.

“Marty is a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life. He was having some difficulty,” Trump said.

According to reports, Makary submitted his resignation directly to Trump in a text message effective immediately.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your FDA Commissioner,” Makary wrote in the message shared by Trump on Truth Social.

Leadership Changes

Position	Status
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary	Resigned
Acting FDA Head	Kyle Diamantas
Permanent Replacement	Not yet selected

Pressure

Makary’s resignation followed weeks of growing criticism from several groups, including conservative media figures, anti-abortion organizations, Republican allies, and pharmaceutical industry voices.

Sources familiar with internal discussions said tensions also developed between Makary and senior White House officials as well as leaders within the Department of Health and Human Services.

According to multiple reports, Trump had recently become frustrated over delays involving approvals for flavored vaping products.

A source familiar with Makary’s thinking said disagreements over vaping policy played a major role in his decision to step down.

“He is a principled guy, didn’t want to sign off on something he doesn’t believe in,” the source said.

Vapes

The handling of flavored electronic cigarette products became one of the most controversial issues during Makary’s time leading the FDA.

Federal regulators have historically limited approvals for flavored vaping products because of concerns about youth use and addiction risks.

At the same time, tobacco companies and some political allies argued that flavored products could help adult smokers transition away from traditional cigarettes.

Trump had publicly promised during the 2024 campaign to support vaping products and reduce restrictions affecting the industry.

Shortly before Makary’s resignation, the FDA approved certain fruit-flavored vaping products and later announced plans to ease enforcement actions involving some unauthorized vape products under review.

Key Areas of Criticism

Issue	Criticism
Flavored vapes	Delayed approvals
Drug reviews	Concerns about inconsistency
Abortion pill review	Claims of slow progress
Vaccine oversight	Leadership instability

Agency

Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgical oncologist, was confirmed by the Senate as FDA commissioner last year.

Before joining the administration, he became known nationally for criticizing certain COVID-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic policies.

During his tenure, the FDA faced major staffing reductions and leadership turnover. Reports indicated the agency cycled through multiple vaccine officials within a relatively short period.

Industry representatives also raised concerns about unpredictability in drug review decisions under Makary’s leadership.

Several pharmaceutical companies publicly challenged FDA decisions involving medicines and vaccines during his tenure.

One executive quoted in reports said consistency and predictability are essential for drug development because the process requires extensive time and financial investment.

Abortion

Makary also faced criticism from anti-abortion groups and some Republican activists over the pace of a promised safety review involving abortion medication.

Those groups argued the FDA had not moved quickly enough on reviewing data related to abortion pill regulations.

The issue added to broader political pressure surrounding the agency as it handled multiple high-profile public health debates.

Replacement

The White House has not announced a permanent replacement for Makary.

According to sources familiar with discussions, several more traditional candidates are being considered for the position, including former FDA Commissioner Steve Hahn and former acting commissioner Brett Giroir.

The administration has reportedly sought candidates viewed as more politically stable and capable of navigating Senate confirmation.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. thanked Makary publicly after the resignation announcement and said he had “full confidence” in acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas.

Diamantas previously worked as a lawyer and currently serves as deputy commissioner for food policy.

Challenges

Makary’s resignation means the FDA joins several other federal health agencies currently operating without permanent leaders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also lacks a permanent director, creating additional uncertainty across federal public health leadership.

The transition comes during a period of heightened political attention on health policy, pharmaceutical regulation, vaccines, vaping products, and reproductive health issues.

Observers say the administration’s next FDA commissioner will likely face pressure from multiple sides, including industry groups, public health advocates, conservative activists, and lawmakers.

Outlook

The White House has already begun searching for Makary’s successor, according to administration officials.

The next FDA commissioner will inherit an agency facing major questions about regulatory consistency, scientific independence, staffing challenges, and political oversight.

As the administration continues reshaping federal health leadership, the FDA is expected to remain at the center of debates involving medicine approvals, tobacco regulation, vaccines, and public health policy.

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