The White House is reportedly preparing to remove Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, and it's already got a shortlist of people to take his place — at least temporarily.
According to a Reuters report over the weekend, FDA Deputy Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, who currently oversees the agency's food division, is among the officials being considered to step in as acting commissioner if Makary is shown the door. Other interim possibilities include FDA Deputy Commissioner Grace Graham and senior Health and Human Services counselor Sara Brenner.
If the administration decides to go with a permanent replacement, the list of potential long-term nominees includes former FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and former acting commissioner and Assistant Health Secretary Brett Giroir.
This isn't coming out of nowhere. Makary's tenure has been marked by internal friction and policy battles that have frustrated senior administration officials for months, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
A major flashpoint: vaping policy. Makary initially refused to approve flavored vape products — including blueberry and mango varieties from Los Angeles-based manufacturer Glas — citing concerns about youth vaping. But after pressure from President Donald Trump, he reversed course and authorized the products.
Trump, for his part, has tried to keep some distance from the reports. When asked about the potential ouster, he told reporters, "I've been reading about it, but I know nothing about it."
Makary has also drawn criticism from biotech companies, rare-disease advocates, and anti-abortion groups over FDA decisions related to drug approvals and abortion pill policy. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum publicly criticized Makary earlier this month, accusing him of damaging innovation and weakening FDA leadership. On the other side, MAHA influencer Alex Clark defended Makary, arguing that his critics opposed his approach to scientific oversight.
Makary rose to prominence in conservative circles during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of aspects of the public health establishment and vaccine policy. Trump tapped him to lead the FDA in November 2024, following his growing alliance with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other MAHA-aligned health figures, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Casey Means, and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya.
If Makary is removed, it would mark a significant shakeup at the FDA — and a reminder that even top health officials aren't immune to the political winds in Washington.
