FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns, CDER head Tracy Høeg also exits amid political pressure

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary announced his resignation, citing intense pressure from anti‑abortion groups and criticism over the agency’s stance on flavored e‑cigarettes. President Trump praised Makary’s work and named Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas as acting FDA chief.

Within days, the acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Dr Tracy Beth Høeg, confirmed she will leave the agency. Høeg, an epidemiologist known for questioning COVID‑19 vaccine safety and for helping draft a controversial reduction of the childhood vaccine schedule, was appointed by Makary and faced criticism from senior officials. Michael Davis, the CDER deputy director, is set to assume the acting role. The departures are part of a broader shake‑up at the department, with other senior officials also expected to exit.

The leadership turnover occurs as the administration pushes to expand access to flavored e‑cigarettes and reconsider medication‑abortion drug regulations, highlighting the clash between public‑health priorities and political demands.