Trump approves plan to fire FDA Commissioner Marty Makary

Washington — President Trump has approved a plan to fire Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary, according to two sources. 

The president dodged questions about Makary’s potential ouster on Friday. The timing of his potential termination remains unknown, and the president could always change his mind. 

Makary, a British-American surgeon, was confirmed to the post in March 2025. The Wall Street Journal first reported the president had signed off on a plan to fire Makary. 

There have been reports of conflict and tension over the FDA’s agenda. On May 6, the FDA approved flavored e-cigarettes, which according to The Wall Street Journal came only after Mr. Trump pressured Makary to approve the fruit-flavored vapes, which he’d been refusing to do. The Journal reported that advisers had told the president that Makary was blocking the vaping agenda and said he was a problem for the Trump administration.