Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary is expected to resign Tuesday, according to a report from The Washington Post, marking the latest high-profile departure from President Donald Trump’s administration during a period of heightened internal pressure and policy disputes.
Makary’s reported exit follows a series of tensions with the White House, particularly over the administration’s stance on flavored vaping products. The commissioner had come under fire after being criticized by Trump for not moving quickly enough to approve certain nicotine products, an issue that has drawn increasing political attention.
According to reporting from CNN correspondent Kaitlan Collins, Makary chose to step down after it became apparent that the president was prepared to remove him from the post. The decision appears to have followed a heated period in which Trump raised concerns about the pace of regulatory action.
In a meeting earlier this month, Trump reportedly pressed Makary after speaking with advisers about the political importance of flavored vaping products, particularly among younger supporters aligned with his political base. During his 2024 campaign, the president had pledged to “save” vaping, a promise that has since translated into expectations for swift regulatory movement.
However, Makary had resisted certain approvals favored by the White House. A report from The Wall Street Journal indicated that advisers characterized the commissioner as an obstacle to the administration’s agenda. Specifically, Makary declined to approve menthol, mango, and blueberry-flavored vape products produced by a Los Angeles-based manufacturer, Glas—decisions that placed him at odds with Trump’s priorities.
That same report described Makary as being on “thin ice,” suggesting that his position within the administration had become increasingly precarious in recent weeks. The clash highlights a broader dynamic within the administration, where policy disagreements can quickly escalate into personnel changes.
Makary’s departure adds to a growing list of officials who have exited the administration this year. Among them are former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, both of whom recently left their posts under similarly high-profile circumstances.
The FDA commissioner had been nominated by Trump following his November 2024 election victory and was confirmed in March 2025. His tenure, though relatively brief, became defined by his resistance to certain policy directives from the White House, particularly on issues where political considerations intersected with regulatory authority.
While the dispute over vaping may seem narrow in scope, it underscores the broader tensions that can arise when political urgency collides with the slower pace of federal oversight. At a time when the administration is also navigating complex international challenges, including ongoing conflicts abroad, the internal friction serves as a reminder that policy battles at home can be just as consequential in shaping the direction of leadership.
Makary’s exit leaves open questions about who will take the reins at the FDA—and whether the next commissioner will align more closely with the administration’s policy goals or face similar pressures in balancing competing demands.
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