U.S. FDA Commissioner Resigns Amid Vaping and Abortion Pill Policy Turmoil

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary stepped down on May 12 after mounting political pressure and internal disputes, notably over the agency’s recent approval of fruit‑flavored vaping products. The White House had reportedly decided to remove Makary before his formal resignation, ending a 13‑month tenure marked by clashes over regulatory priorities, including the authorization of four pod‑based e‑cigarettes from Los Angeles‑based Glas Inc. that employ Bluetooth‑based age‑verification technology. The decision represented a shift in FDA policy toward allowing certain non‑tobacco flavors for adult smokers while maintaining concerns about youth appeal, and it was accompanied by a broader easing of enforcement against some unauthorized vaping and nicotine products.

Following Makary’s departure, Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantis was named acting commissioner. Within days, several senior officials were removed or reassigned: Tracy Beth Høeg, acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), was dismissed; Katherine Szarama, acting director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), was shifted to another role; and chief of staff Jim Traficant was replaced. Interim leaders Mike Davis, Karim Mikhail, and Lowell Zeta took over CDER, CBER, and the chief‑of‑staff position respectively. Pro‑life advocates view the leadership changes as an opportunity to revisit the Biden‑era policy that removed in‑person safeguards for the abortion pill mifepristone, hoping the new FDA leadership will restore stricter controls.