FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is resigning after a turbulent stretch inside President Donald Trump’s administration, marking another major shakeup at one of the nation’s top health agencies.
Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon who became one of the most recognizable faces of Trump-era health policy, is expected to step down Tuesday after months of mounting pressure tied to disputes over vaping policy, abortion drug reviews, and internal FDA turmoil.
President Trump had reportedly already signed off on plans to replace Makary before the resignation became public.
Makary was confirmed by the Senate in March 2025 after Trump tapped him to lead the Food and Drug Administration during his second term in office. He previously gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for criticizing vaccine mandates and lockdown policies.
His tenure at the FDA quickly became controversial as the agency faced staffing upheaval, criticism from pharmaceutical companies and backlash from anti-abortion groups frustrated with the pace of reviews surrounding the abortion pill mifepristone.
Makary also faced pressure from vaping advocates and some Trump allies over delays involving flavored e-cigarette approvals, an issue that reportedly fueled tensions with the White House in recent weeks.
Despite the criticism, Makary earned praise from conservatives for challenging public health orthodoxy and pushing for broader reforms inside federal health agencies alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The administration has not yet announced a permanent replacement, though FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas is expected to serve in an acting role.
Makary’s resignation adds to a growing list of leadership changes across Trump’s health agencies as the administration attempts to stabilize operations ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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