President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary is out. The commissioner had reportedly been under fire in recent weeks over a string of policy disagreements with the administration and lawmakers.
“Marty is a terrific guy, but he's going to go on and he's going to lead a good life,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “He was having some difficulty.”
Several news outlets had reported in recent days that Trump was finalizing a plan to fire Makary, in part because of his reluctance to bring flavored vapes back onto the U.S. market. Makary had also come under fire over a stalled review into the abortion drug mifepristone and his public sparring with drug producers.
In a Truth Social post, Trump called Makary a "hard worker, who was respected by all." Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas will lead the agency on an acting basis, Trump added.
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Trump also posted an image of a text which appeared to come from Makary in which the commissioner offers his resignation "effective today."
In the text, Makary says he is "extremely proud" of his role in the administration.
Politico first reported on Makary's departure, citing an administration official who said Makary resigned.
Makary made some opponents on Capitol Hill during his 13-month tenure. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called his departure “welcome news” in a post to X Tuesday.
“Dr. Makary was uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement,” he said, accusing Makary of having “slow walked” the mifepristone review.
“He froze out pro-life leaders and repeatedly stonewalled Congress,” Hawley added. “His resignation is an opportunity for the FDA to reset.”
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