Trump Signs Off on Plan to Fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary

President Trump has approved a plan to remove FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, a former Johns Hopkins surgeon who became a prominent medical voice in Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" movement. Makary's tenure has been marked by internal turmoil, clashes with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other administration officials, and mounting complaints from the pharmaceutical industry. The decision follows layoffs from the Department of Government Efficiency and significant leadership turnover at the FDA.

Makary's downfall stems from several high-profile policy disputes. Most notably, Trump became frustrated when Makary initially refused in February to authorize blueberry and mango vape flavors from Los Angeles manufacturer Glas, citing concerns that fruit flavors would encourage youth vaping. Only after pressure from Trump did Makary reverse course and approve them. This incident exemplifies what administration officials now view as Makary acting as a "rogue agent" rather than implementing the White House's preferred policies.

Makary has faced criticism from multiple directions. Biotech companies complained about his handling of rare-disease drug approvals. Antiabortion activists, including Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, have renewed calls for his firing, frustrated after he declined to block approval of a generic abortion pill. Meanwhile, some MAHA supporters defend him on social media, arguing that "Washington SWAMP CREATURES hate Makary because he brings actual scientific scrutiny."

Makary would be the latest casualty in Kennedy's overhaul of health leadership, following the removal of CDC Director Susan Monarez last summer and HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill in February. Kennedy reportedly had even considered keeping Makary as a figurehead while installing someone else to actually run the FDA. The firing plan isn't yet final and could still change, with the White House offering only a non-committal statement when asked directly by Trump, who claimed: "I know nothing about it."