President Trump moved swiftly Tuesday to install a new temporary leader at the Food and Drug Administration, naming Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas as acting commissioner following the resignation of Dr. Marty Makary.
Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social platform, calling Diamantas “a very talented person.” The shakeup comes amid reports that Makary’s departure was triggered by his opposition to the administration’s push to approve flavored e-cigarettes. The FDA last week authorized marketing for four such products.
“I want to thank Dr. Marty Makary for having done a great job at the FDA,” Trump wrote. “So much was accomplished under his leadership. He was a hard worker, who was respected by all, and will go on to have an outstanding career in Medicine.”
Politico Pro first reported the resignation. Earlier Tuesday, the president declined to say whether he had fired Makary or asked him to step down. “Marty’s a terrific guy but he’s going to go on and he’s going to lead a good life,” Trump told reporters. “He was having some difficulty. You know, he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty.”
Trump also posted a screenshot of what appeared to be a direct text from Makary, notifying him of his resignation and expressing gratitude. “Please accept my resignation, effective today. During my tenure, I announced 50 major FDA reforms. Joe Biden’s FDA had none,” the message read.
The text continued: “I’m extremely proud that we reduced drug review times from a year to 1-2 months, wrote new guidance to advance psychedelics, introduced a new ‘plausible mechanism’ pathway for rare disease drugs, and changed estrogen labels to tell women the truth about menopausal hormone replacement.” It concluded, “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your FDA Commissioner. I am forever grateful.”
Sources told NewsNation, The Hill’s broadcast partner, that Makary’s resignation stemmed from his resistance to approving flavored vapes, a policy the administration has championed. The FDA’s decision last week to greenlight four such products appears to have been a flashpoint.
The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services for comment. This leadership change at the FDA comes as the administration faces scrutiny over its regulatory approach, including pandemic preparedness questions and broader health policy shifts.
Diamantas, who has served as deputy commissioner for food, now takes the helm of an agency overseeing drug approvals, food safety, and tobacco regulation. His appointment signals the administration’s intent to continue its deregulatory agenda, even as internal disagreements emerge.
