Trump Expected to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary
President Donald Trump has signed off on a plan to dismiss FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, AOL.com reported Friday, citing sourcing from the New York Times. The move would make Makary the latest senior health official to exit the administration under pressure. No formal termination has yet been issued, and sources noted the decision could still shift.
A Commissioner Caught Between Competing Pressures
Makary spent just over a year leading the Food and Drug Administration. During that period, he launched dozens of initiatives. These included efforts to shorten drug approval timelines and crack down on misleading pharmaceutical advertising.
Despite the activity, Makary was reportedly walking a precarious line. On one side sat MAGA-aligned factions pushing for deregulation to draw more drug trials to the United States. On the other sat pro-life groups and tobacco-industry-aligned donors seeking specific regulatory outcomes.
Vaping Approvals at the Center of the Row
One of the most persistent sources of friction involved flavored e-cigarettes. The White House pressured Makary for months to greenlight flavored vaping products. Major tobacco companies, who are notable Trump donors, had lobbied heavily for those approvals.
In March, the FDA signaled it would authorize limited flavors such as mint, tea, and spices. Fruit and candy variants were deemed unlikely to pass review. The agency cited concerns about their appeal to young users. Just this week, the FDA cleared a blueberry and mango flavored product from a small Los Angeles company, suggesting limited movement under continued pressure.
Background: HHS Turbulence Has Been Building for Months
The Makary situation fits a broader pattern inside the Department of Health and Human Services. Three months ago, the Trump administration removed two senior HHS officials in separate actions. Reports of Makary’s fragile standing within the department and the White House had circulated for months before this week’s developments.
Anti-abortion groups added to the pressure this week. Leaders of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America publicly called for his firing on Thursday. Their complaint centered on Makary’s handling of a safety review for mifepristone, the widely used abortion medication. Former Vice President Mike Pence also criticized Makary on social media over the same issue.
What Happens Next at the FDA
The FDA’s leadership transition, if confirmed, would leave a major regulatory agency without permanent direction. Drug manufacturers, public health advocates, and tobacco companies will all be watching closely for a successor announcement. The White House has not commented publicly on the reported decision.
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