FDA Chief Marty Makary to Exit Trump Administration

Marty Makary is leaving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after months of internal conflict inside the Trump administration over vaping rules, abortion policy and agency leadership.

According to multiple reports, Donald Trump approved plans last week to remove Makary from his position.

Trump later confirmed the departure and announced that Kyle Diamantas would serve as acting FDA chief.

Internal clashes reportedly intensified in recent weeks

Makary had reportedly faced growing criticism from:

• White House officials
• Health and Human Services leadership
• Anti-abortion organizations
• Pharmaceutical industry groups

One of the biggest disputes centered on flavored e-cigarettes.

Sources familiar with the matter said Makary resisted pressure to approve fruit-flavored vaping products because of concerns they could appeal to younger users.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a direct confrontation with Trump.

Last week, the FDA reversed course and approved flavored e-cigarette sales.

Leadership turmoil inside the FDA

Makary’s exit adds another vacancy to the upper ranks of the administration’s health leadership.

The administration currently also lacks permanent leadership at:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• The U.S. Surgeon General’s office

Officials familiar with the situation described the FDA under Makary as increasingly unstable, citing:

• Internal staffing turnover
• Policy disputes
• Delays in regulatory decisions
• Growing tensions with outside allies

Makary had been scheduled to testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee this week regarding the FDA’s proposed budget.

Abortion policy became another flashpoint

Makary also faced mounting pressure from anti-abortion groups over access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America publicly pushed for the FDA to reverse rules allowing abortion medication to be prescribed through the mail.

Medication abortions now account for roughly two-thirds of abortions in the United States.

Conservative activists reportedly blamed Makary for not taking stronger action on the issue ahead of the midterm elections.

Divisions inside the MAHA movement

Makary also became a divisive figure within the “Make America Healthy Again” coalition tied to Robert F. Kennedy Jr..

Some vaccine critics criticized him for not removing COVID-19 vaccines from the market.

Others praised his actions targeting:

• Artificial food dyes
• Ultra-processed foods
• Food industry regulation

Trump administration prepares leadership reset

Officials are reportedly considering a broader restructuring of senior FDA leadership following Makary’s departure.

Trump’s administration appears eager to stabilize the agency before the 2026 midterm elections while improving relations with:

• Conservative advocacy groups
• Drug manufacturers
• Public health allies

Makary, a surgeon and author confirmed in March 2025, had originally promised faster approvals for drugs, devices and vaccines.

Instead, his tenure became increasingly marked by political battles over some of the country’s most contentious health issues.