politics
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns as Pro-Life Groups Seek Changes on Abortion Drug
Marty Makary stepped down as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 12, 2026. Pro-life organizations and Republican senators had pressed for months for a review of mifepristone and reinstatement of in-person dispensing requirements from the first Trump administration. Acting FDA leadership now falls to Kyle Diamantas until President Trump names a successor.
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Marty Makary resigned as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday. The departure followed months of public pressure from pro-life groups and Republican lawmakers who sought action on the abortion drug mifepristone. Trump responded to questions about the reports by saying he had read about them but knew nothing about any plan to fire him.
The reason for the resignation was not immediately clear. Pro-life organizations described the change as an opportunity to appoint a new commissioner who would alter policies on medication abortion. >"We look forward to a new FDA Commissioner who will put an end to the mail-order abortion drug regime.
" — Marjorie Dannenfelser (SBA Pro-Life America) Sen. " He cited Makary's handling of mifepristone, including an alleged slow-walked review, approval of a new abortion drug, and decisions on personnel and congressional inquiries. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is leading a congressional investigation into mifepristone manufacturers' compliance with safety regulations, described Makary as part of a broader pattern in the administration's approach to pro-life issues.
Cassidy said he anticipated that the next nominee would share his concerns about protecting life. Live Action founder Lila Rose called for the appointment of a pro-life commissioner and an immediate ban on the abortion pill. As of May 12, none of the groups that had sought Makary's removal had publicly named a preferred successor.
Kyle Diamantas, the FDA's top food regulator, is serving as acting commissioner until a permanent replacement is named. Court records show that Diamantas represented Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando in a 2017 legal dispute involving an abortion facility.
