Who Is Marty Makary? FDA commissioner under ‘exit’ pressure as Trump ‘signs off’ on removal plan

US President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the removal of Marty Makary as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to a *Wall Street Journal* report citing unnamed sources. Makary assumed the role in March 2025 after Senate confirmation, bringing expertise from Johns Hopkins University’s surgical oncology program and a public profile shaped by books critiquing healthcare costs and medical failures. The decision follows growing pressure on Makary, linked to FDA rulings that drew criticism from biotech firms, anti-abortion advocates, and vaping industry groups. The agency rejected Replimune Group’s drug application due to a lack of a control group in trials, a decision Makary defended as scientifically justified. He also faced scrutiny for delaying approvals of gene therapies for rare diseases like Hunter syndrome and Huntington’s disease, as well as initially blocking Moderna’s seasonal flu vaccine application—a decision later reversed. Makary’s alignment with Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement and his stance on stricter scientific reviews further fueled tensions. Anti-abortion groups, including Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America, demanded his removal after the FDA’s review of Mifepristone, a drug used in medical abortions. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly pressured the FDA to approve fruit- and menthol-flavored vape pods, which Makary had delayed, despite opposition from public health advocates. The FDA currently lacks a permanent commissioner, with several key positions filled by acting officials. Makary’s potential departure would deepen regulatory uncertainty, particularly as the agency navigates contentious issues like vaccine policies, drug approvals, and public health directives. His tenure was marked by clashes between scientific rigor and political pressures, leaving an uncertain future for the agency’s leadership.