President Donald Trump on Tuesday confirmed that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary is stepping down from his role, ending a turbulent tenure marked by controversy, political pressure and growing division within the agency.
Speaking to reporters, Trump described Makary as “a terrific guy” and praised his work at the FDA, despite weeks of speculation that the commissioner’s removal was imminent.
“Marty is a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on, and he’s going to lead a good life,” Trump said when asked whether he had fired the FDA chief.
The president later shared what appeared to be Makary’s resignation message on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump thanked the outgoing commissioner for “having done a great job,” calling him “a hard worker, who was respected by all.”
Trump also announced that Kyle Diamantas, formerly the FDA’s top food official, will serve as acting commissioner.
Makary, a surgeon and former Fox News contributor, rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic as a vocal critic of the medical establishment and public health restrictions. He entered the FDA promising major reforms but leaves after just over a year facing criticism from pharmaceutical companies, public health experts, tobacco lobbyists and anti-abortion groups.
One of the major points of tension during his leadership involved flavored e-cigarettes. Reports indicated Makary resisted efforts to approve fruit-flavored vape products due to concerns over youth appeal, while the Trump administration moved ahead with policies allowing their sale.
Conservative groups also criticized Makary for delaying a review of the abortion pill mifepristone, which has remained FDA-approved for more than two decades but continues to face legal and political challenges.
At the same time, public health advocates accused the FDA under Makary of giving credibility to anti-vaccine narratives after the agency released a disputed memo linking deaths to Covid-19 vaccines without firm scientific backing.
The resignation marks another leadership disruption within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), currently overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. The department has already faced instability surrounding nominations for surgeon general and leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Peter Lurie described Makary’s exit as more evidence of growing dysfunction inside the health department.
“When you don’t have a CDC Director, an FDA Commissioner, or a Surgeon General, the obvious question is: Why do you have this HHS Secretary?” Lurie said, blaming Kennedy for much of the ongoing turmoil.
The departure leaves the FDA facing renewed uncertainty at a time when the agency remains under pressure over vaccine policy, drug approvals and public trust in federal health institutions.
