FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns amid political pressure

Marty Makary announced his resignation as Food and Drug Administration commissioner on May 12, 2026, a move confirmed by President Donald Trump who said the departure followed weeks of conflict with White House advisers and external pressure groups [1]. Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas will serve as acting head while the administration searches for a permanent replacement [1].

Key takeaways

• Makary resigned effective May 12 after a text message to Trump, citing difficulties in his role [1].
• The resignation follows intense pressure from anti‑abortion activists, Republican lawmakers, and the White Wall Street Journal over his handling of flavored vapes and the mifepristone review [2].
• Trump announced Diamantas will lead the FDA in an acting capacity, and the White House has begun vetting candidates such as former commissioners Steve Hahn and Brett Giroir [1].
• Makary’s exit leaves the FDA and CDC without permanent leaders, adding to a series of high‑profile public‑health vacancies [1].
• The controversy centered on Makary’s refusal to quickly approve fruit‑flavored e‑cigarettes and his perceived slow progress on an abortion‑pill safety review [3].

Political and policy clashes that led to resignation

Makary’s tenure was marked by frequent disputes with senior officials. He faced criticism for re‑introducing fruit‑flavored e‑cigarettes—a promise Trump made during his 2024 campaign—after industry lobbying and presidential pressure, only to approve the products days later [3]. A source close to Makary said the “fruit‑flavored vapes issue” was a decisive factor in his decision to step down, describing him as a “principled guy” who did not want to sign off on a policy he disagreed with [1].

At the same time, Republican lawmakers and anti‑abortion groups accused Makary of dragging his feet on a promised safety review of the abortion medication mifepristone. The Wall Street Journal published multiple op‑eds calling for his removal, and a week‑long pressure campaign from anti‑abortion activists intensified the scrutiny [2]. Makary also clashed publicly with drugmakers over the review of lifesaving medicines, prompting accusations that his decisions were unpredictable and not grounded in standard scientific practice [1].

Search for a new FDA leader amid broader vacancies

The White House has already begun vetting potential successors, with former FDA commissioner Steve Hahn and former acting commissioner Brett Giroir mentioned as possible candidates [1]. However, many qualified individuals are reportedly hesitant to serve under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose vaccine‑related views have drawn criticism from the scientific community [1]. Kennedy thanked Makary for his service and expressed “full confidence” in Diamantas as acting commissioner, signaling that the administration intends to move quickly on a permanent appointment [2].