U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary has left his post, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, marking another leadership shake-up inside the federal health department amid mounting political and industry pressure.
Trump told reporters at the White House that Makary was “a terrific guy” but “was having some difficulty,” adding that FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas would temporarily lead the agency until a permanent replacement is selected.
Makary’s departure came after weeks of speculation over his future and reports that the White House had already approved plans to remove him from the role.
Makary faced criticism from multiple fronts during his tenure, including conservative media outlets, anti-abortion groups, pharmaceutical companies and some Trump allies tied to the Make America Healthy Again movement.
His handling of flavored vape approvals became a major source of tension within the administration after he resisted efforts to authorize more fruit-flavored vaping products in the U.S. market.
Health advocates have argued that such products appeal to children, while Trump had publicly supported broader approvals.
Makary also faced backlash over the FDA’s approval of a cheaper generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, prompting anti-abortion organizations to call for his dismissal.
The Wall Street Journal editorial board repeatedly criticized Makary over FDA drug review decisions, including the agency’s rejection of cancer and rare-disease treatments.
Replimune, whose melanoma therapy was rejected twice by the FDA, accused the agency of reversing positions discussed during earlier meetings.
The White House has yet to identify a permanent replacement for Makary, according to sources familiar with the process.
Former FDA Commissioner Steve Hahn and former acting commissioner Brett Giroir are among the candidates being considered.
Officials have reportedly struggled to recruit candidates willing to serve under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose views on vaccines have sparked controversy.
Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon who gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic for criticizing vaccine mandates, had overseen an agency reshaped by staffing cuts and leadership turnover.
His departure follows several other high-profile exits within the Trump administration’s health agencies in recent months.