By Evaristo Lara
Following some disputes with the Trump administration, Marty Makary resigned as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In March 2025, the British-American surgeon was confirmed to lead the FDA, that is, as responsible for supervising and regulating medications, vaccines and tobacco, among other things.
Until that moment, in addition to being criticized for the way the Biden administration responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, he stood out for defending the “Have The US Healthy Again” movement.
However, Upon joining the current government, for nearly 13 months he faced constant tension that led him to step aside from the FDA.
In the middle of last year, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), asked him to review mifepristone to examine its safety and effectiveness as an abortion drug, which he was unable to do for a semester, a situation that generated enormous discomfort among some high-ranking Republicans.
According to the newspaper The Wall Road JournalMakary’s resignation came amid alleged pressure from President Donald Trump to authorize the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, which he refused to do.
However, that was one of several conflicts that he faced and that undermined his relationship with the nation’s leader.
The television network CBS News and other media outlets agreed by citing several people close to the government, under the condition of keeping their identity confidential, pointing out that Trump had already authorized an idea to fire Marty Makary.
Upon finding out about itthe doctor originally from Liverpool came to the conclusion that it was more decorous for him to be the one to resign in charge of the federal administration.
In an opening statement to a group of reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Trump called Makary “a great guy” whom he considered part of his group of friends.
“Marty is a great guy, but he’s going to move on and have a good life. You know, he’s a great doctor. And he was going through some difficulties, but he’s going to move on and do well,” he said.
As part of the restructuring carried out at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), prior to Makary’s resignation, Vinay Prasad, head of vaccines, also decided to step aside.
The departure of the British specialist was so expected that Trump announced Kyle Diamantas, deputy commissioner of food, as acting head of the FDA.
Keep reading:
• FDA announces its first approval of fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes for adults
• An abortion pill is the subject of lawsuits, they say it is unsafe
• Dan Bongino submits early resignation as FBI deputy director
