Martin Makary has stepped down as the head of the Food and Drug Administration, bringing to an end a turbulent tenure as the top health regulator in the U.S.
President Trump confirmed Makary’s resignation during a meeting with reporters on Tuesday, following the initial report by Politico. Kyle Diamantas, who previously served as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for food, will now serve as the acting commissioner in Makary’s place.
“Marty is a great guy, a friend of mine, and a wonderful man,” Trump said. “He was facing some challenges, but he will move forward and succeed. Everyone wants that position.”
The Department of Health and Human Services did not provide a comment on the matter.
Robert F. Kennedy, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has appointed Diamantas as the acting commissioner, a move that aligns with his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Diamantas was named senior counselor in February to accelerate President Trump’s health priorities.
Diamantas has been instrumental in shaping changes to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and advocating for a shift away from artificial dyes in processed foods. He has also focused on enhancing the FDA’s oversight of food chemicals, particularly the Generally Recognized as Safe approval process.
With his expanded role, Diamantas is expected to place greater emphasis on food-related issues at the FDA, as highlighted by recent budget requests aimed at supporting health initiatives.
Makary, a renowned medical researcher and author, was initially seen as a conventional choice for FDA head when he was nominated by Trump in November 2024. However, his leadership saw the departure of several key officials amidst organizational changes.
Throughout his tenure, the FDA faced criticism for inconsistent regulatory decisions and delays in drug reviews, which deviated from Makary’s vision of a more flexible approach.
Despite some accomplishments, such as sailing through a Congressional confirmation hearing, Makary’s term was marked by controversy, including clashes with anti-abortion groups and pressure from Trump on certain policy decisions.