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Marty Makary has resigned as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday, ending a turbulent 13-month tenure that saw the agency embroiled in controversies over vaccines, drug approvals, and political interference. Makary's departure was widely anticipated after reports that Trump had signed off on a plan to fire him last week, and it comes amid a broader shake-up at the FDA that has left the agency without a permanent leader or several top officials.

Kyle Diamantas, who served as the FDA's deputy commissioner for food, will lead the agency in an acting capacity, according to two sources familiar with the situation, as reported by Politico and confirmed by multiple outlets. Trump described Diamantas as a "very talented person" and said he would serve temporarily until a permanent replacement is found. The White House has not yet identified a candidate for the permanent role, sources told Politico and others.

Makary's resignation was announced by Trump during a press event, where he said, "Marty is a terrific guy, but he's going to go on and he's going to lead a good life. He was having some difficulty." The president added that the deputy would take over temporarily.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of Makary's resignation has varied in tone and emphasis across outlets. The Guardian, which published multiple pieces on the story, focused heavily on Diamantas's lack of medical experience and his corporate legal background, as well as on the broader turmoil at the FDA. Its reporting highlighted the departures of other senior officials, including Tracy Beth Høeg, the acting drug chief, and Katherine Szarama, the acting vaccines chief, framing these as part of a "major shake-up" and a "leadership vacuum."

The South China Morning Post, in a more neutral tone, emphasized the political pressures that led to Makary's departure, noting "weeks of pressure from Republicans and anti-abortion groups" and the role of the Wall Street Journal's editorial board. It also reported that Trump had signed off on a plan to fire Makary earlier in the month.

All sources agree on the core facts: Makary resigned, Diamantas was named acting commissioner, and the decision came after a period of mounting tension between Makary and the White House. However, the interpretation of these events differs. The Guardian's coverage tends to be more critical, using language such as "embattled," "paranoid," and "chaos," while the South China Morning Post and the more neutral Guardian article adopt a straightforward, informative tone.

Key Claims

  • Makary's resignation: Multiple sources, including Reuters and NBC News, confirmed that Makary resigned on Tuesday. Trump's announcement and subsequent confirmation by sources indicate the decision was made under pressure, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Trump had signed off on a plan to fire him.
  • Diamantas's appointment: Kyle Diamantas, the FDA's deputy commissioner for food, will serve as acting commissioner. This is supported by multiple sources, including Politico, which first reported the development. Diamantas has no professional medical experience; he is a former corporate lawyer who defended Abbott Laboratories in a lawsuit alleging that its premature infant formula increased the risk of a deadly gastrointestinal condition. This detail, reported by The Guardian, has not been independently verified by other outlets.
  • Political pressure: Makary's departure follows weeks of pressure from Republican lawmakers, anti-abortion groups, and the Wall Street Journal's editorial board, according to sources cited by Politico. Trump's anger over Makary's initial decision to block fruit-flavored vapes was a specific flashpoint, leading to a reversal of that decision after the president intervened.
  • Additional departures: Tracy Beth Høeg, the acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, says she was fired on Friday, and Katherine Szarama, the acting vaccines chief, left after just 10 days in the role. These departures, along with the ouster of chief of staff Jim Traficant, have been reported by The Guardian and underscore the agency's instability.
  • Internal turmoil: Multiple outlets describe the FDA as "rocked by controversy and turmoil," citing low morale, layoffs, and contentious decisions on vaccines and drug approvals. The resignation of Makary and the departure of other top officials have left the agency without permanent leaders for its two major centers.

Perspectives

Supporters of the administration may view Makary's departure as a necessary correction to align the FDA with the president's agenda, particularly regarding vaping products and deregulatory pushes. Trump's praise for Diamantas and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s statement that the search for a new commissioner is "already underway" suggest a desire for a more cooperative agency.

Critics argue that Makary's resignation and the subsequent appointments represent a dangerous politicization of the FDA, with decisions increasingly influenced by political pressure rather than scientific evidence. Experts quoted by The Guardian expressed concern about "political interference – or even the appearance of it – in regulatory decisions." The departure of officials like Høeg, who had questioned vaccine safety and faced criticism, has raised alarms among public health advocates.

The agency's workforce has reportedly faced low morale due to layoffs and leadership instability. The lack of a permanent commissioner and the rapid turnover of top officials have created an uncertain environment for FDA staff, potentially affecting the agency's ability to fulfill its regulatory mission.

As the FDA navigates this transition, the appointment of an acting commissioner without medical experience and the ongoing search for a permanent leader will be closely watched by the public health community and industry stakeholders alike. The episode highlights the delicate balance between political accountability and scientific independence in federal regulatory agencies.