President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to remove Marty Makary as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amid disputes involving nicotine regulations and abortion policy.
Multiple reports published Friday by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post said Makary’s removal from the FDA appeared increasingly likely, though no official announcement had been issued by the White House.
According to reports, administration officials have expressed concerns about Makary’s management of the FDA and described tensions between the commissioner, Health Department officials and White House staff members.
The Wall Street Journal reported Makary had repeatedly clashed with senior administration figures while struggling to manage operations inside the federal agency overseeing food, drugs and medical products.
One area of conflict reportedly involved flavored vaping products and broader nicotine regulations under consideration by the Trump administration and the FDA leadership.
In February, Makary reportedly declined to approve certain flavored vape products, including blueberry and mango flavors produced by Glas, citing concerns about underage vaping and youth nicotine use.
Makary later allowed the products to move forward for sale after initially resisting approval, according to reports discussing disagreements between the FDA and White House officials.
David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, criticized Makary’s handling of vaping approvals and questioned whether the commissioner fully supported Trump administration policy goals.
“It’s frustrating because President Trump, during his first term, said that he wanted to move forward with approving these products,” Williams said in comments reported by CNN.
The reports also said pro-life organizations and anti-abortion advocates had intensified criticism of Makary over the FDA’s handling of mifepristone, a medication commonly used in abortion procedures, per The Western Journal.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser publicly called for Makary’s removal amid disputes over a safety review involving the abortion drug.
According to The New York Times, pro-life activists believed Makary was moving too slowly in reviewing mifepristone and investigating concerns they raised regarding the drug’s safety.
CNN reported senior White House staff members planned meetings with pro-life leaders to discuss frustrations involving abortion policy and the FDA’s regulatory approach under Makary’s leadership.
The Washington Post reported Makary’s departure could be accompanied by broader organizational changes at the FDA following internal reviews examining agency operations and efficiency.
The newspaper also reported that no permanent or acting replacement had been selected to lead the FDA if Makary ultimately leaves the commissioner position.
White House spokesman Kush Desai did not directly confirm Makary’s removal but said Trump assembled an administration focused on “historic victories for the American people.”
