FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned Tuesday after 13 months leading the agency, following intense criticism from pro-life leaders for failing to restrict mifepristone — including its distribution through mail-order abortions. Kyle Diamantas, previously the FDA’s top food official, was named acting commissioner.
The decision was made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with White House approval. “It was really Secretary Kennedy himself who made this decision,” a senior administration official said.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser had called for Makary’s immediate removal, stating: “FDA Commissioner Makary should be fired immediately. Indifference is completely unacceptable to millions of pro-life voters expecting the administration to act to save lives.” Dannenfelser warned that Makary was “severely undermining President Trump and Vice President Vance’s pro-life credentials.”
Pro-life advocates had highlighted the continuation of Biden-era mail-order abortion pill policies under Makary’s tenure — policies that enable chemical abortions in states with strong protections for the unborn and have contributed to serious complications for women. The resignation comes as 23 states have formally backed Louisiana’s effort to stop mail-order abortions at the Supreme Court.