FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is set to be removed, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with Trump’s plans, though the decision isn’t finalized.
Makary, a former Johns Hopkins surgeon confirmed in March 2025, drew attention first for opposing COVID-era vaccine mandates and pediatric masking. He inherited an agency already gutted by layoffs and drew consistent industry criticism for inconsistent drug reviews and erratic abortion policy. His 14-month tenure hasn’t stabilized anything.
The immediate trigger: Makary’s reluctance to endorse fruit-flavored vaping products angered the White House. FDA relented Tuesday, authorizing 45 types of e-cigarettes. The reversal didn’t save him.
Agency turnover has been relentless. Richard Pazdur, longtime FDA oncology chief, resigned from the CDER directorship after just one month, warning that the agency had lost expert voices and that political influence has “seeped into regulatory decision-making.” Vinay Prasad departed as CBER director twice in eight months, his second exit driven by controversies over several cell and gene therapies for rare diseases.
In November 2025, hundreds of industry leaders signed a letter to Makary demanding more predictability and questioning whether the FDA could still function. This week, the agency drew fresh criticism for blocking publication of COVID and shingles vaccine studies that found side effects were “very rare,” per the New York Times.
HHS didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sarah Chen