FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns After 13-Month Tenure

WASHINGTON — Dr. Marty Makary, President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration commissioner, resigned Tuesday after roughly 13 months leading the agency.

A White House official confirmed the departure. President Trump, speaking to reporters before departing for China, described Makary as “a great doctor” who “was having some difficulty” but will “go on and do well.”

Makary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon and health policy researcher, took office in March 2025. He gained national attention as a vocal critic of certain COVID-19 policies during the pandemic. His tenure included efforts to cut bureaucracy and align FDA operations with the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” priorities under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The resignation follows reports of internal tensions, including disagreements over flavored e-cigarette approvals, management of drug reviews, and handling of the abortion pill mifepristone. Industry groups, vaping interests, and some administration allies had raised concerns about the pace of certain decisions and agency operations.

Kyle Diamantas, the FDA’s top food official, will serve as acting commissioner.

The White House has not announced a permanent successor. Makary’s exit marks the latest leadership change at the agency amid the Trump administration’s focus on streamlining federal health regulations.