Trump Reportedly Plans to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Amid Agency Turmoil

The White House has reportedly signed off on a plan to remove Dr. Marty Makary as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to multiple media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, and Politico. The decision, still subject to internal review and potential changes, marks the end of a turbulent tenure for Makary, whose leadership has been marked by controversy over major policy shifts, personnel changes, and high-profile regulatory decisions.

Dr. Makary, confirmed as FDA Commissioner by the U.S. Senate in March 2025, brought a background in surgical oncology and health policy from Johns Hopkins University. His tenure was launched with a pledge to embrace “gold-standard science, transparency, and common sense,” but has since faced intense scrutiny over a series of decisions that reshaped the agency’s approach to drug approvals, vaccine oversight, and public health regulations.

Key Controversies and Policy Shifts

Makary’s time at the helm has been defined by several contentious issues:

• DOGE Cuts and Workforce Restructuring: In a dramatic move last year, the FDA underwent significant workforce reductions, with around 3,500 employees let go as part of broader administrative reforms. Critics argue that these cuts have slowed down critical reviews for medical devices, vaccines, and new drugs, while supporters claim the changes were necessary to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency.
• Drug Approvals and Rejections: The FDA has faced criticism for both accelerating and delaying high-profile drug approvals. Notably, the agency rejected a melanoma drug candidate from Replimune, a decision that drew significant attention and debate within the medical and pharmaceutical communities. Makary defended the agency’s stance, citing rigorous scientific standards, but the move underscored growing tensions between industry expectations and regulatory caution.
• Vaccine and Gene Therapy Oversight: The FDA’s handling of vaccine approvals and gene therapies has been a focal point, especially amid ongoing public health challenges. The agency’s decisions on these fronts have been closely watched, with some stakeholders praising transparency and others raising concerns about delays and shifting priorities.
• Abortion Pill Regulation: The FDA’s oversight of medications like mifepristone, used for abortion, became a political flashpoint. The agency’s decisions on access and safety sparked debate and legal challenges, further entangling the FDA in broader cultural and political controversies.
• Vape Regulation: Efforts to regulate vaping products and youth access have also drawn mixed reactions, with public health advocates calling for stricter measures and industry representatives arguing for balanced approaches that do not stifle innovation.

Personnel Turmoil and Leadership Changes

The FDA’s internal dynamics have been further strained by personnel changes and policy announcements. In April 2026, Vinay Prasad, the acting director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), resigned amid controversy over his handling of rare disease drug approvals. His departure was followed by the appointment of Katherine Szarama as acting director of CBER, reflecting the agency’s ongoing efforts to stabilize leadership during a period of transition.

Despite these shifts, the White House has not yet announced a replacement or acting director for the FDA as a whole, leaving the agency’s immediate future uncertain. Insiders suggest that the decision to remove Makary is driven by a desire to reset the agency’s direction, but the process of selecting a successor and addressing ongoing challenges remains fluid.

What Comes Next?

With the FDA at a crossroads, the next commissioner will face a complex landscape. The agency’s reputation and operational capacity have been tested by recent controversies, and the incoming leader will need to navigate a delicate balance between scientific rigor, public trust, and political pressures. The pharmaceutical industry, medical community, and the public will be closely watching how these developments unfold, as the FDA’s decisions continue to shape access to life-saving treatments and public health policies.

The planned departure of Dr. Makary underscores the broader challenges facing the Trump administration’s health agencies, where leadership changes and policy shifts are reshaping the regulatory environment. As the FDA prepares for a new chapter, the focus will be on restoring stability, transparency, and confidence in the agency’s mission to protect and advance public health.