FDA Commissioner Makary Resigns After 13 Months; Diamantas Named Acting Chief
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary resigned on Tuesday, May 12, after serving just over a year in the role. Kyle Diamantas, the agency's Deputy Commissioner for Food, was named acting commissioner while the administration searches for a permanent replacement. Makary's departure came after weeks of tension with the Trump administration. Key friction points included his resistance to approving flavored vaping products and disputes over abortion pill restrictions. The FDA regulates approximately one-fifth of U.S. consumer spending. Makary's tenure was marked by staff departures and internal discord. Diamantas brings legal and policy expertise from leading the FDA's Human Foods Program and has served as a liaison between the agency and the White House. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned of ongoing upheaval within the agency.
Key facts
- Makary served as FDA commissioner for 13 months, from March 2025 to May 2026
- Kyle Diamantas, JD, Deputy Commissioner for Food, appointed as acting commissioner
- FDA regulates approximately one-fifth of U.S. consumer spending
- Main point of conflict was Makary's resistance to approving fruit-flavored vaping products
- Makary's departure is the fourth high-profile Trump administration official to leave in 2026
- HHS Secretary RFK Jr. had previously terminated approximately 3,500 FDA employees, roughly 20% of workforce
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlight the agency's turmoil under RFK Jr.'s leadership, noting that mass layoffs of 3,500 FDA workers preceded Makary's exit. They stress concerns that Diamantas lacks medical credentials and are troubled by his personal connection to Donald Trump Jr., questioning the future of FDA scientific independence and public health protection.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets and MAHA supporters praise Diamantas as a strong choice aligned with Make America Healthy Again priorities, particularly his food safety modernization efforts. They view his appointment as continuity on dietary supplements and chemical removal from food, and some applaud his efficiency in implementing the administration's regulatory reform agenda.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage is limited on Diamantas's full track record and specific policy expertise beyond food regulation. Long-term impacts of the leadership transition on drug approvals, vaccine policy, and reproductive health decisions remain to be seen.
Sources
- Democracy Now!: FDA Chief Pushed Out in Latest Sign of Public Health Chaos Under RFK Jr. Left
- NBC News: Dr. Marty Makary is out as FDA commissioner Centre
- CBS News: Marty Makary resigns as FDA commissioner after internal tensions Centre
- The Hill: Exiting FDA head Marty Makary, accused by vaping industry of being 'hostile to flavors,' leaves another gap at HHS Centre
- NutraIngredients: FDA Shakeup: Makary steps down, Diamantas steps up Right