WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary resigned on Tuesday after weeks of pressure from the White House, administration officials said.
Makary, a surgeon and health policy expert appointed by President Donald Trump, stepped down after about 13 months leading the agency, according to multiple reports citing administration officials. President Trump confirmed the departure and named the agency’s top food official, Kyle Diamantas, as acting commissioner.
Details of the resignation emerged following reports of internal tensions. Sources familiar with the matter told news outlets that Makary opposed the administration’s decision to authorize fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, a policy he resisted. The FDA proceeded with approvals shortly before his exit.
Trump addressed the change during remarks at the White House. “Marty’s a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life,” the president said, according to USA Today.
Makary’s tenure included efforts at regulatory reform but was marked by clashes over issues including flavored nicotine products, policies on the abortion pill mifepristone, and broader agency direction. Anti-abortion groups had criticized the pace of certain actions, while industry and administration figures pushed for different approaches on vaping products.
The resignation adds to leadership turnover at the Department of Health and Human Services. It occurred one day before Makary was scheduled to testify before a Senate committee on the FDA’s proposed budget.
In a message relayed publicly, Makary expressed gratitude for his service. Administration officials described the departure as a resignation rather than a firing, though reports indicated Trump had signed off on plans to remove him the previous week.
As of Saturday, no further details on Makary’s future plans or an immediate timeline for a permanent successor nomination had been announced. The FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Diamantas is expected to serve in an acting capacity while the administration seeks a permanent replacement, which would require Senate confirmation.
The development comes amid ongoing debates over FDA priorities on public health, tobacco regulation, and pharmaceutical oversight.
