Trump Administration Moves to Replace FDA Commissioner Marty Makary

President Trump has signed off on a plan to dismiss FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and Politico reported. The departure would add another high-profile vacancy to Robert F. ’s health department.

Makary has served as FDA Commissioner for a little over a year. During that time he announced dozens of new FDA initiatives including efforts to shorten drug review timelines, crack down on misleading ads, and pressure the food industry to remove chemical dyes. The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and Politico reported that the White House is planning to oust Marty Makary.

The plans to oust Marty Makary could still change. The White House, spokespeople for Marty Makary, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not respond to messages seeking comment. , campus on Friday. , campus on Friday, according to two agency sources.

@statnews reported that his tenure as FDA Commissioner was marked by personnel drama, departures of longtime staff, and controversy over political pressure impeding the FDA’s scientific process. Reports suggested Marty Makary was on “thin ice” with his bosses in the Health and Human Services Department and the White House.

Rumors of Marty Makary’s potential firing have spread among industry leaders, lobbyists, and legislative staffers since at least late 2025.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Marty Makary tried to block agency scientists from approving flavored vapes. President Trump wanted Marty Makary to approve flavored vapes to appease young voters in the Make America Great Again movement. Marty Makary angered the anti-abortion community and some Republican lawmakers by slow-walking a safety study on the abortion pill mifepristone.

The Trump administration is operating without a permanent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director. Appointment of a permanent FDA commissioner requires Senate confirmation.

Neither of the FDA’s main divisions that regulate the biopharma industry are led by permanent officials. The Trump administration pushed out two top HHS officials three months ago. Outside the Food and Drug Law Institute conference on Wednesday, Marty Makary said “Feeling good,” with a thumbs up, when asked how long he plans to stay at the agency.