Trump Announces FDA Chief Marty Makary’s Exit Amid Turmoil at US Health Agency

Fresh uncertainty has hit the American health system after US President Donald Trump confirmed that Marty Makary is stepping down as head of the Food and Drug Administration following months of controversy and internal tension.

Makary’s departure comes after weeks of speculation surrounding his future at the powerful federal agency responsible for regulating vaccines, medicines, tobacco products and food safety in the United States.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump dismissed claims that Makary had been fired but acknowledged the FDA chief was leaving office.

“Marty is a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on, and he’s going to lead a good life,” Trump said.

The president later shared what appeared to be Makary’s resignation message on his Truth Social platform, praising him as “a hard worker” respected across the sector.

Makary, a surgeon and former Fox News contributor, rose to national prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic after openly criticising parts of the medical establishment and public health restrictions. His appointment to lead the FDA was initially seen by conservatives as part of a broader effort to reform federal health agencies.

But his tenure quickly became politically divisive.

Conservative anti-abortion groups criticised him for delaying a review of the abortion pill mifepristone, while tobacco lobbyists clashed with him over resistance to fruit-flavoured vaping products that critics say attract young users.

At the same time, several pharmaceutical executives reportedly complained that his attempts to overhaul drug approval processes created confusion rather than reform.

Public health advocates also accused Makary of amplifying anti-vaccine narratives after the FDA released a disputed memo linking Covid-19 vaccines to deaths without sufficient scientific backing.

Trump announced that Kyle Diamantas would temporarily lead the agency in an acting capacity following Makary’s resignation.

The shake-up adds to growing instability inside the US Department of Health and Human Services under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose vaccine scepticism has drawn heavy criticism from medical experts and public health groups.

Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, described the situation as “chaos,” arguing that the absence of permanent leadership at key health agencies reflects deeper dysfunction within the department.