HHS plans two new FDA deputy commissioner roles for technology and drugs
The Department of Health and Human Services is planning to create two new deputy commissioner positions at the Food and Drug Administration, according to sources familiar with the matter. One role would focus on technology, including healthcare and artificial intelligence, while the other would oversee drugs. Jared Seehafer, a medical devices industry veteran and FDA senior advisor, is the leading candidate for the technology position, though no candidates for the drugs role have been publicly identified. The appointments would report to Heidi Overton, Trump's nominee for FDA commissioner, who still requires Senate confirmation. No final decisions have been formally announced. This reorganization follows a tumultuous period for the agency marked by staff departures, budget cuts, and the resignation of previous commissioner Marty Makary after thirteen months in the position.
Key facts
- HHS plans to create two new FDA deputy commissioner roles—one for technology and healthcare AI, one for drugs
- Jared Seehafer, a medical devices industry veteran and FDA senior advisor, is the leading candidate for the technology role
- The new positions would report to Heidi Overton, whose FDA commissioner nomination requires Senate confirmation
- Previous FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned in May 2026 after 13 months amid White House clashes over vaping policy, abortion pills, and drug approvals
- No final decisions have been made and the FDA has not formally announced the appointments
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Progressive sources highlight concerns that these new positions represent an effort to increase White House influence over the FDA and weaken its scientific independence. They point to the leadership's support for controversial policies like vaccine schedule changes and efforts to restrict abortion pill access, suggesting the new roles serve partisan health agendas rather than evidence-based regulation.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets emphasize the Trump administration's desire to bring stability to an agency "shaken by staff losses and low morale" and position allies who support the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. They frame Overton as a trusted Trump loyalist and the restructuring as necessary reforms to align FDA policies with administration priorities.
Limits of this briefing
All reporting relies on anonymous sources familiar with the matter, and no official FDA or HHS announcement has been made. The full scope of how these roles might influence FDA decision-making remains unclear, and key information about the drugs deputy commissioner candidate is unavailable.
Sources
- CNBC: HHS plans new FDA deputy commissioner roles for technology and drugs, sources say Centre
- StatNews: How Trump loyalist Heidi Overton became the president's pick to run the FDA Centre
- CNN: Trump picks Dr. Heidi Overton to lead FDA Left
- PBS News Hour: Trump picks White House aide Dr. Heidi Overton to lead FDA Centre
- NBC News: Trump nominates Heidi Overton to lead the FDA Centre