Trump Administration Moves To Oust FDA Commissioner Marty Makary

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Trump Administration Moves To Oust FDA Commissioner Marty Makary/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly learned his job was in jeopardy only after the White House approved plans to remove him. Internal conflicts within the Department of Health and Human Services fueled efforts to push Makary out. Disputes over vaping products, abortion policy and agency leadership weakened Makary’s standing inside the Trump administration.

Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a press briefing with from left, Dr. Ben Carson, National Nutrition Advisor at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

FDA Commissioner Shakeup Quick Looks

White House approves plan to remove Makary
HHS officials reportedly pushed for ouster
Vaping authorization dispute intensified tensions
Anti-abortion groups criticized FDA leadership
Potential interim replacements already under review
FDA morale and leadership turmoil continue

Deep Look

White House Approves Plan To Remove Marty Makary

Marty Makary reportedly believed he would remain as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration until the White House formally approved plans to remove him from the position.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the effort to oust Makary originated primarily within the Department of Health and Human Services rather than directly from the White House.

“It’s been senior leadership at HHS … who has been pushing Makary’s ouster,” a White House official told Politico.

The reported decision followed months of internal disputes, political clashes and growing frustration among administration officials, industry groups and conservative activists.

Even as speculation intensified earlier this week, Makary reportedly believed he still retained support from President Donald Trump after a recent phone call with the president.

That confidence quickly unraveled once the White House officially authorized plans for his removal.

Vaping Dispute Became Major Flashpoint

One of the most significant conflicts involved the FDA’s handling of fruit-flavored vaping products.

Trump reportedly pushed Makary to approve flavored vaping pods after a representative from tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds met with the president in Florida.

Makary hesitated despite internal FDA staff support for authorizing certain products produced by vaping company Glas.

The issue became politically sensitive because some Trump allies viewed flavored vaping products as important to the industry and harmful to small businesses if restricted too aggressively.

After media reports suggested Makary’s position was at risk, he approved the vaping products Tuesday. At least temporarily, he believed the decision had stabilized his standing within the administration.

However, by Friday, the White House had reportedly moved ahead with plans to remove him anyway.

Internal Clashes At HHS Weakened Makary’s Position

Makary’s relationship with top HHS officials also reportedly deteriorated over time.

He frequently clashed with Chris Klomp on personnel decisions and broader agency management issues, according to officials familiar with the disputes.

The former Johns Hopkins surgeon also alienated multiple factions both inside and outside government, including:

Anti-abortion activists frustrated with the FDA’s handling of abortion pill regulations
Opponents of vaping restrictions
Rare disease drug manufacturers unhappy with regulatory consistency
Some career FDA employees upset by management decisions and staff morale issues

Makary additionally faced criticism for efforts to restore former vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad to a leadership role.

The accumulation of conflicts reportedly left Makary increasingly isolated within the administration.

FDA Leadership Turmoil Continues

The FDA has experienced sustained instability throughout Makary’s tenure.

The agency has faced:

High-profile staff departures
Leadership vacancies across major divisions
Declining staff morale
Political battles over public health policy
Pressure from Trump administration priorities

Several top FDA centers currently remain under acting leadership, including divisions overseeing drugs, biologics and tobacco regulation.

One anonymous FDA employee summarized internal frustration bluntly by saying: “He will not be missed by a single career person.”

Still, some administration officials acknowledged Makary attempted in recent months to improve relations with career staff after morale suffered following workforce reductions linked to the Department of Government Efficiency.

Potential Interim Replacements Already Emerging

With Makary’s departure appearing imminent, administration officials are already considering possible interim FDA leaders.

Reported candidates include:

Kyle Diamantas
Grace Graham
Lowell Zeta

The administration may also consider former FDA leaders for temporary service, including:

Stephen Hahn
Brett Giroir
Sara Brenner

Any permanent replacement would require Senate confirmation and likely face scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senate health committee chairman Bill Cassidy.

Some Makary Policies Could Survive

Despite his expected removal, several of Makary’s policy initiatives may continue under future leadership.

One notable program was the National Priority Review Voucher initiative, designed to speed regulatory review for certain medications, particularly treatments targeting rare diseases.

Makary also pushed proposals aimed at aligning FDA policy with Trump’s “America First” agenda by offering lower regulatory fees for pharmaceutical companies manufacturing products or conducting clinical trials within the United States.

Those proposals may remain influential as Congress debates reauthorization of FDA user fee programs, which fund roughly half the agency’s operations.

FDA Faces Uncertain Future Amid Political Pressure

Makary’s likely removal highlights the growing political pressures surrounding the FDA under the Trump administration.

The agency now sits at the center of major debates involving public health regulation, vaping policy, abortion access, pharmaceutical oversight and domestic manufacturing priorities.

As the White House searches for new leadership, uncertainty continues to surround one of the federal government’s most important health agencies.