The main entrance to Building 1 of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which houses the Commissioner’s office, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Photo: Michael J. Ermath/FDA)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary on Tuesday became the latest member of President Donald Trump’s administration to leave his post this year.
“I want to thank Dr. Marty Makary for doing a great job at the FDA. So much has been accomplished under his leadership,” Trump wrote on social media. “He was a hard worker, respected by all, and will have an incredible career in medicine. Kyle Diamantas, a very talented individual, will be hired as an actor.”
Diamantas worked as deputy commissioner for food, leading a program focusing on nutrition and food safety.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. he wrote in a social media post that Makary “pushed forward critical reforms and helped advance our mission to Make America Healthy Again.”
“I also want to thank Kyle Diamantas for taking over as Acting Commissioner – his leadership has already delivered extraordinary victories in the MAHA food program, and I have every confidence in his continued work,” Kennedy added. “We have an excellent team at FDA, and the work is ongoing. The search for a new commissioner is already underway and we will continue to work diligently.”
Makary’s resignation is the fourth time a senior member of the Trump administration has left or been forced out of office in the last few months.
Kristi Noem was thrown out in early March as secretary of homeland security, moving to another position as special envoy. Pam Bondi resigned as attorney general in early April to return to the private sector. And Lori Chavez-DeRemer he came down as labor secretary in overdue April, after the scandals.
Senate I voted to confirm Makary will lead the FDA in March 2025, with the support of Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire.
Medication abortion
Makary’s decision to leave the FDA came months after anti-abortion groups and some Republicans in Congress called on Trump to fire him over his record on access to medical abortion.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, released statements in December insisting that the FDA restrict access to mifepristone.
“The FDA needs a new commissioner who will immediately restore in-person drug dispensing as it existed during President Trump’s first term and immediately conduct a comprehensive investigation,” Dannenfelser wrote in a statement at the time. “Commissioner Makary seriously questions President Trump and Vice President Vance’s pro-life credentials and their position that states should have the right to enact and enforce pro-life protections. Makary must go.”
Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley he sent a letter to Makara the next day, urging him to complete a review of current mifepristone prescribing guidelines.
Their frustration stemmed from the Bloomberg Act news article this means that Makary did not want to publish the survey results before the November midterm elections, which will decide which political party will control Congress for the next two years.
