Politics

FDA Chief Marty Makary Resigns

Was Makary's FDA tenure a bold stand against corporate interests or a betrayal of voters that demanded a reset?

MAY 12·Updated MAY 17

Story

Above: Then-FDA Commissioner Marty Makary on Jan. 29, 2026. Image credit: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

The Facts

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary resigned on Tuesday after 13 months leading the agency. A White House official said that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "made this decision," while the resignation came one day before Makary was set to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
FOX News
Politico
Makary's departure was reportedly driven in large part by his resistance to authorizing fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, which President Donald Trump had promised to "save" during the 2024 campaign. The FDA reversed course and approved the first fruit-flavored vapes for adults 21 and over shortly before Makary's exit.
Daily Caller
The New Republic
Anti-abortion groups had also pressured the White House to remove Makary, citing his handling of the abortion pill mifepristone.
CNN
Daily Wire
Kyle Diamantas, the FDA's top food official and a former corporate lawyer at Jones Day, was named acting commissioner. Diamantas doesn't hold a medical degree, a credential that has traditionally been expected of FDA leaders.
The Associated Press
Politico
Makary's tenure was marked by significant staff losses, with more than 4,000 employees — roughly a fifth of the FDA's workforce — departing through layoffs or voluntary exits. His handpicked deputy, Dr. Vinay Prasad, left the agency twice in under a year amid issues with drugmakers and patient advocates.
CNBC
The New York Times
This is the fourth high-profile departure from the Trump administration since January, following former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez DeRemer. A permanent FDA commissioner must be nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate.
The Associated Press
Daily Wire

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Makary was the rare FDA chief who actually stood up to Big Pharma and Big Food instead of caving to their lobbying. His push to remove outdated safety warnings on menopause treatments and target ultra-processed foods showed real commitment to public health over corporate profits. Forcing him out is a win for special interests and could put women's reproductive rights at risk.

19th News

Katie Pavlich on X

Kelly Ryerson on X

Narrative B

Makary betrayed voters on numerous issues, especially abortion. He slow-walked a critical safety review of mifepristone for political reasons while publicly claiming progress — a betrayal of the pro-life voters who put this administration in power. The FDA under Makary made things worse, not better. His resignation is a necessary reset.