Trump reportedly plans to fire FDA Commissioner Makary

Breaking News Trump reportedly plans to fire FDA Commissioner Makary The departure would add to a slew of key federal health care vacancies Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Lizzy LawrenceMay 8, 2026 FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence[email protected]Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. President Trump has reportedly signed off on a plan to dismiss Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary. It would be the latest high-profile departure to hit Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health department. Makary has served in the role for a little over a year. His tenure was ambitious, filled with the announcements of dozens of new initiatives, including efforts to shorten drug review timelines, crack down on misleading ads, and pressure the food industry to remove chemical dyes.Advertisement The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, and Politico reported that the White House is planning to oust Makary. The plans could still change, the publications said. The White House and spokespeople for Makary and Kennedy didn’t respond to messages seeking comment. Makary was supposed to give an address at an annual FDA 5K race held on the White Oak campus on Friday, and to run with staff. But he was absent, two agency sources told STAT.Advertisement Makary’s tenure has also been tumultuous, marked by personnel drama, departures of long-time staff, and controversy over political pressure impeding the FDA’s scientific process. His departure comes after months of reports suggesting he was on “thin ice” with his bosses in the Health and Human Services Department and the White House. Rumors of his potential firing have spread among industry leaders, lobbyists, and legislative staffers since at least late 2025. In addition to several high-profile management fumbles, Makary repeatedly found himself facing political conundrums. Most recently, according to the Wall Street Journal, he tried to block agency scientists from approving flavored vapes and then faced the ire of President Trump, who wanted him to approve them to appease young voters in the Make America Great Again movement. Makary has also angered the anti-abortion community and some Republican lawmakers by slow-walking a safety study on the abortion pill mifepristone. But his exit would mean that the Trump administration would needs to fill yet another slot in Kennedy’s health department, which has already been operating without a permanent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director as well as a surgeon general. As with those roles, the appointment of a permanent FDA commissioner requires Senate confirmation. It would also add to a slew of vacancies atop the FDA. Neither of the agency’s main divisions that regulate the biopharma industry are led by permanent officials. The Trump administration last shook up HHS leadership just three months ago, pushing out two top officials in a bid to mitigate dysfunction in Kennedy’s department and focus it on politically popular initiatives such as healthier food. In light of the intensifying rumors of his imminent departure, STAT asked Makary outside the Food and Drug Law Institute conference on Wednesday how long he plans to stay at the agency. “Feeling good,” he said, with a thumbs up. This is a developing story and will be updated.Advertisement Congress, Donald Trump, drug development, FDA, HHS, Policy, RFK Jr., White House Submit a correction requestReprints Lizzy Lawrence FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Newsletter The latest updates in federal health agencies, research institutes, and U.S. policy Recommended Exclusive May 7, 2026 Official leading CDC’s cruise ship program retires Biotech May 7, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA to reconsider treatment for rare cancer after its surprise rejection Advertisement Exclusive May 6, 2026 STAT Plus: Sanofi asks to pull diabetes drug out of FDA voucher program after political appointee interfered with review Health April 30, 2026 Trump drops Casey Means as surgeon general nominee, opts for radiologist Nicole Saphier Business April 30, 2026 STAT Plus: Cigna will exit ACA individual markets next year, adding to tumult for patients Subscriber Picks