Trending Now - Marty Makary Steps Down as FDA Commissioner Amid Controversy
WHO:
Boston.com - Makary came to prominence among Republicans as an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic when he frequently appeared on Fox News.
CBS News - FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned his position.
Boston.com - Makary is described as a surgeon and health researcher.
CNN - President Trump signed off on a plan to fire Makary.
CNN - Marjorie Dannenfelser is the President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
WHAT:
CNN - Makary's resignation means Trump will now need to fill yet another vacancy in the top ranks of the US Health and Human Services Department, which already lacks a permanent leader atop the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a permanent surgeon general.
CNN - A push to oust Makary had accelerated in recent days, driven by a faction of White House and HHS officials who had soured on an FDA that had been marked by constant chaos, internal clashes, and policy confusion.
CNN - In addition to Makary’s planned ouster, White House and HHS officials were also weighing a restructuring of the agency’s senior staff.
CNN - Makary had pledged to accelerate FDA decisions on drugs, devices, and vaccines following his confirmation in March 2025, but he frequently found himself mired in controversy over the subsequent year.
CNN - In a recent flashpoint that renewed talk among Trump and his advisers about firing Makary, the FDA chief resisted internal efforts to approve the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, prompting an angry Trump to directly press Makary over vape decisions.
CNN - Dannenfelser met with White House officials on Friday, pushing for the FDA to reverse regulations that allow providers to send the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail, which would have repercussions across the country for abortion access.
CNN - Makary's departure comes one day before he was set to testify about the FDA’s proposed budget before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
CNN - Medication abortion now accounts for roughly two-thirds of all US abortions and has helped fuel an overall increase in abortions since the Supreme Court ended nationwide abortion rights protections in 2023.
CBS News - Makary stepped aside amid reports that his tenure was ending.
CNN - Makary's resignation means Trump will need to fill another vacancy in the US Health and Human Services Department.
CNN - Makary's departure was reported to be one day before he was set to testify about the FDA’s proposed budget before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
CNN - The FDA reversed its course on flavored e-cigarettes last week.
NBC News - Makary's resignation marks the fourth high-profile departure from the Trump administration this year.
WHERE:
CNN - The FDA is part of the US Health and Human Services Department.
WHEN:
ABC News - Makary intended to resign today, according to sources.
NY Post - Makary resigned his position on a Tuesday.
WHY:
CNN - Dannenfelser stated, “Indifference is completely unacceptable to millions of pro-life voters expecting the administration to act to save lives.”
CNN - Makary faced intense pressure from within the administration and from pharmaceutical and anti-abortion groups.
CNN - His resistance to approving the sale of flavored e-cigarettes prompted direct confrontation from Trump.
CNN - Dannenfelser stated, “FDA Commissioner Makary should be fired immediately,” citing indifference to pro-life voters.
HOW:
CNN - A faction of White House and HHS officials pushed for Makary's ouster due to dissatisfaction with his performance and the chaos within the FDA.
(UPDATED May 12, 2026 23:19 UTC)
Trump will need to fill another vacancy in the top ranks of the US Health and Human Services Department following the resignation of Makary, who faced increasing pressure from a faction of White House and HHS officials unhappy with the chaotic state of the FDA. Makary, who had promised to speed up FDA decisions on drugs, devices, and vaccines after his confirmation in March 2025, found himself embroiled in controversy, particularly over his resistance to approving the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, Dannenfelser met with White House officials, advocating for the FDA to reverse regulations that permit the mailing of the abortion pill mifepristone, which could significantly impact abortion access nationwide.
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(UPDATED May 12, 2026 21:22 UTC)
Dr. Makary, known for his vocal criticism of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, has stepped down just one day before he was scheduled to testify about the FDA’s proposed budget before the Senate Appropriations Committee. His departure comes amid a significant shift in abortion practices, as medication abortion now represents about two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S., contributing to an overall increase since the Supreme Court's decision in 2023. In response to this situation, pro-life advocate Dannenfelser emphasized that “indifference is completely unacceptable to millions of pro-life voters expecting the administration to act to save lives.”
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(UPDATED May 12, 2026 19:30 UTC)
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned from his position amid intense pressure from both the Trump administration and various interest groups, marking the fourth high-profile departure from the administration this year. His resignation comes just one day before he was scheduled to testify about the FDA’s proposed budget, and it follows a recent reversal on flavored e-cigarettes that had drawn criticism from President Trump and pro-life advocates. With Makary's departure, Trump will need to fill yet another vacancy in the US Health and Human Services Department.