This article reports that FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned after 13 months, outlines the political and pro-life pressures that preceded his exit, records President Trump’s public remarks and a Truth Social statement, and details criticisms from senators and activists over the abortion pill and related FDA staffing decisions. It covers reported involvement by HHS leadership, reactions from pro-life figures, and the opportunities conservatives see in selecting a successor at the agency. The piece preserves key quotes and embeds that appeared with the original coverage.
The White House confirmed that Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary resigned after 13 months in office. FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food and Drugs Kyle Diamantis will step in as acting commissioner while a permanent replacement is sought.
Makary’s resignation followed mounting pressure from pro-life advocates and administration critics who had grown frustrated with his handling of several high-profile FDA decisions and claims he has slow-rolled MAHA initiatives, according to media reports in recent weeks.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the president had reportedly already signed off on a plan to fire Makary, citing three familiar sources who cited Makary’s handling of abortion and drug policy.
“I’ve been reading about it, but I know nothing about it,” Trump said the same day after he was asked by reporters if Makary would be fired.
As President Donald Trump prepared to depart on Air Force One for his trip to China, reporters pressed him about the personnel change at the FDA. One asked, “Did you ask Marty Makary to resign, sir? Or did you fire your FDA commissioner?” Trump kept his remarks short but warm toward Makary.
Trump responded, “Well, I don’t want to say. But Marty’s a great guy. He’s a friend of mine, he’s a wonderful man, and he’s going to be off, and the assistant—the deputy is taking over temporarily… Everybody wants that job.”
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Trump also posted a written message about Makary on Truth Social that thanked him for his service and named Kyle Diamantas as the acting leader at the FDA. The post praised Makary’s work and suggested he would continue to have a successful career in medicine.
I want to thank Dr. Marty Makary for having done a great job at the FDA. So much was accomplished under his leadership. He was a hard worker, who was respected by all, and will go on to have an outstanding career in Medicine. Kyle Diamantas, a very talented person, will be put in the Acting position. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Sen. Josh Hawley criticized Makary for stalling a review of mifepristone, arguing the commissioner impeded efforts to reevaluate the abortion pill’s regulatory status. Critics also contend Makary placed staffers in key roles whose views on abortion access and vaccine mandates alarmed pro-life groups.
Reports name Hilary Perkins as a controversial appointment that drew scrutiny because of her record defending wider access to the abortion pill without tighter medical supervision. Perkins later resigned from her FDA counsel position after the pressure intensified from activists and lawmakers.
Some conservative activists and pro-life leaders described Makary’s actions as harmful to their cause, alleging he approved changes that widened access to abortion drugs and prioritized certain policy positions at the agency. Those critics argued that the FDA under Makary had sent conflicting signals to Congress and to pro-life stakeholders.
This is welcome news. Dr. Makary was uniquely destructive to the prolife movement. He attempted to place pro-abortion lawyers in key positions. He slow walked a vitally necessary review of the abortion drug mifepristone. He used his discretion to approve a new abortion drug when the data shows it sends 1 in 10 women to the emergency room. He froze out prolife leaders and repeatedly stonewalled Congress. His resignation is an opportunity for the FDA to reset.
According to multiple reports, Health and Human Services leadership requested Makary’s resignation, and this week those reports came to fruition. The change at the FDA has energized conservatives who want a more aligned regulatory approach on drug approvals and reproductive policy.
Supporters of a tougher stance on the abortion pill have pushed for a commissioner who will pursue tighter controls and who shares their pro-life priorities. They see the vacancy as a chance to insist that the next leader will enforce stricter oversight on mifepristone and related approvals.
Public commentary from activists emphasized that the abortion pill has had profound consequences, and they urged President Trump to appoint a commissioner who will act on those concerns. One social post reprinted in coverage declared, “The abortion pill has killed over 7 million pre born American children and harmed countless mothers.” That line has been used to press for a policy shift at the agency.
Marty Makary has resigned! As commissioner he tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.
The abortion pill has killed over 7 million pre born American children and harmed countless mothers.
Appoint a pro-life commissioner, @realdonaldtrump, and ban the abortion pill now!
Those pushing for a new FDA leader argue the next hire should reflect the agenda that won the White House and the priorities voiced by conservative constituents. They expect to weigh in strongly on the nomination process and on how the agency handles future decisions about drug safety and reproductive health policy.
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