On Tuesday, a White House official confirmed that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned, after 13 months in the position. FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food and Drugs Kyle Diamantis will serve as acting commissioner while the White House looks to fill the cabinet vacancy.
Makary’s resignation followed mounting pressure from pro-life advocates and administration critics who had grown frustrated with his handling of several high-profile FDA decisions and claims he has slow-rolled MAHA initiatives, according to media reports in recent weeks.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the president had reportedly already signed off on a plan to fire Makary, citing three familiar sources who cited Makary's handling of abortion and drug policy.
"I've been reading about it, but I know nothing about it," Trump said the same day after he was asked by reporters if Makary would be fired.
As President Donald Trump prepared to depart on Air Force One for his trip to China, he spoke with the press. One reporter asked, "Did you ask Marty Makary to resign, sir? Or did you fire your FDA commissioner?"
Trump responded, "Well, I don't want to say. But Marty's a great guy. He's a friend of mine, he's a wonderful man, and he's going to be off, and the assistant—the deputy is taking over temporarily… Everybody wants that job."
WATCH:
.@POTUS on Dr. Marty Makary leaving the FDA: "Marty's a great guy. He's a friend of mine, he's a wonderful man, and he's going to be off, and the deputy is taking over temporarily... everybody wants that job." pic.twitter.com/Df9y7GQurO
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 12, 2026
Trump also shared his thoughts on Makary via Truth Social:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 12, 2026
I want to thank Dr. Marty Makary for having done a great job at the FDA. So much was accomplished under his leadership. He was a hard worker, who was respected by all, and will go on to have an outstanding career in Medicine. Kyle Diamantas, a very talented person, will be put in the Acting position. President DONALD J. TRUMP
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R) also spoke to the obstructionist role that Makary played in stalling the FDA review of the abortion pill Mifepristone to remove it from unsupervised and widespread use. As RedState reported, Makary was also the one who installed Hilary Perkins as the chief counsel at the FDA. Perkins had a record of defending abortion pill access without a doctor's supervision and was supportive of the vaccine mandates. Pro-life advocates, along with Sen. Hawley, worked to expose this. Perkins ended up resigning from the position.
This is welcome news. Dr. Makary was uniquely destructive to the prolife movement. He attempted to place pro-abortion lawyers in key positions. He slow walked a vitally necessary review of the abortion drug mifepristone. He used his discretion to approve a new abortion drug when… https://t.co/ZHn5UsImeW
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 12, 2026
This is welcome news. Dr. Makary was uniquely destructive to the prolife movement. He attempted to place pro-abortion lawyers in key positions. He slow walked a vitally necessary review of the abortion drug mifepristone. He used his discretion to approve a new abortion drug when the data shows it sends 1 in 10 women to the emergency room. He froze out prolife leaders and repeatedly stonewalled Congress. His resignation is an opportunity for the FDA to reset.
According to reports, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. requested that Makary resign. This week, the deed was done.
Read More: SCOTUS Gives Temporary Relief to Abortion Pill Manufacturers, Louisiana AG Responds
Abortion Pill Now Accounts for Most U.S. Abortions. Hawley Wants It Off the Market.
Here's the beauty part of this news: If a cabinet member is not about furthering the agenda for which the president was elected to enact, then they need to be removed. What this reflects is that Trump takes our voting and advocacy power seriously. Our voices do matter, and the squeaky wheels who continue to make their voices heard will be the ones who get the grease. Pro-life advocates and MAHA made their voices heard, and action was taken. Now those same voices need to give input on who replaces Makary at the FDA.
BREAKING: Pro-abortion FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has resigned! As commissioner he tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) May 12, 2026
The abortion pill has killed over 7 million pre born American children…
Marty Makary has resigned! As commissioner he tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.
The abortion pill has killed over 7 million pre born American children and harmed countless mothers.
Appoint a pro-life commissioner, @realdonaldtrump, and ban the abortion pill now!
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member