Trump Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
President Trump has signed off on a plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, according to reports from multiple news organizations. Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon confirmed last March, has overseen a tumultuous year at the FDA marked by staff departures, management challenges, and conflicts within the administration. Trump's frustration intensified over Makary's resistance to approving flavored vaping products, which Trump had pledged to protect. Makary also faced criticism from anti-abortion groups for slow-walking a promised safety review of abortion pills, and from pharmaceutical companies over unexpected drug rejections. The plan isn't final and could change. If it proceeds, Makary's departure would create yet another vacancy at the top of the health department, which is already missing permanent leaders at the CDC and surgeon general positions.
Key facts
- Marty Makary was confirmed as FDA Commissioner in March 2025
- Trump became frustrated with Makary over delays in approving fruit-flavored vaping products like blueberry and mango varieties
- Makary faced criticism from anti-abortion groups for not releasing a promised safety review of mifepristone abortion pills
- The FDA rejected or delayed approval of multiple rare-disease drugs including treatments for Huntington's disease and melanoma
- Senior official Vinay Prasad, Makary's deputy, departed the FDA following controversy over drug rejections
- The plan to fire Makary is not yet final and could change
- Potential replacements being considered include former FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and former acting commissioner Brett Giroir
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets and public health advocates emphasize concerns that removing Makary could further destabilize federal health agencies and that his ouster reflects political interference in scientific decisions. They highlight that public health groups criticized the FDA's approval of flavored vaping products as potentially reversing progress on youth vaping rates, and warn that leadership turnover threatens institutional continuity for drug safety and pandemic preparedness.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets and conservative voices argue that Makary failed to advance the administration's policy agenda aggressively enough, particularly on vaping and abortion pills. The Wall Street Journal editorial board published multiple critical pieces, and pro-life groups pushed for his removal over delays in releasing an abortion pill safety review they view as necessary.
Limits of this briefing
The plan has not been officially confirmed by the White House or HHS and sources note it could still change. Makary and senior administration officials have declined to comment on the reports. The underlying reasons for conflicts at the FDA remain subject to different interpretations across the political spectrum.
Sources
- CNN: Trump has signed off on ousting FDA chief, senior official says Left
- Bloomberg: Trump Plans to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary After Agency Turmoil Centre
- STAT News: Trump set to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary after stormy tenure Centre
- Washington Post: White House prepares to replace FDA leader Marty Makary amid agency turmoil Left
- Daily Signal: Trump to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Soon Right