Tensions are escalating at one of the nation's top federal agencies, forcing the resignation of a government official. Here is a look into what is happening at one of the country's most important public health organizations.

FDA Commissioner Resigns From Job

Marty Makary resigned from his post as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday. The resignation was not a surprise to those who have been following the growing controversy within the agency.

Makary's departure followed reports that he was not happy with the May 6 FDA approval of some flavored e-cigarette products made by vaping company Glas Inc. A report from The Wall Street Journal noted that President Donald Trump had put pressure on Makary to approve the vapes, despite Makary's reluctance to do so. Fruit-flavored vapes are particularly controversial because they allegedly target younger individuals.

A source told CBS News that Makary is departing the agency over the e-cigarette disagreement, saying that the commissioner did not want to approve the flavored versions. Several media outlets have been reporting that Trump had approved a plan to fire Makary had he not left on his own. It was notable that Makary was not in attendance at an event on maternal health at the White House on Monday. Other public health officials were in attendance alongside the president, making Makary's absence more glaring.

Trump addressed the media on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, before leaving for a state visit to China. The president told reporters that he did not want to talk about why Makary is leaving the agency, only saying that he was a "great guy."

Later in the day, Trump posted a screenshot of a text from Makary confirming the resignation. In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump said that Kyle Diamantas, the deputy commissioner for food, will serve as interim commissioner of the FDA.

Larger Problems Within the Department of Health and Human Services

The news of Makary's resignation is just one of many controversies stealing the headlines within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the federal agency that oversees the work of the FDA. For example, Vaccines Chief Vinay Prasad recently left HHS for a second time.

Makary had been scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill in front of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday. This hearing has since been postponed with no new date scheduled.

It is being reported that many FDA staff are relieved that Makary is no longer in charge. One senior career official accused Makary of micromanaging and getting involved in work outside of the normal purview of the FDA commissioner. Other officials had complained about a lack of transparency under Makary's lead.

Makary had recently come under fire for his management of a voucher program designed to fast-track drug approval. Critics of the program said that it was impossible to carry out due to the agency's understaffing problem, as veteran scientists continue to leave in droves.

The FDA commissioner is in charge of the nation's drug regulation process and vaccines. This agency also takes on the responsibility of tobacco regulation. While the FDA is best known for its involvement in the drug approval process, the agency is also responsible for about 20% of total consumer spending in the country.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner for two years during Trump's first stint in the Oval Office, recently told the media that the role is a "very difficult job." Gottlieb acknowledged that the job was likely more difficult in light of the recent upheaval within the agency. When speaking on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday, Gottlieb pointed to mass departures from the FDA and political appointees taking over the reins.

Makary was confirmed to head up the FDA in March of 2025. The British-American surgeon has been a supporter of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. He was also critical of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic under Trump's leadership.

Conservatives and pro-life groups had not been happy with Makary's position on the abortion drug mifepristone. The drug had been approved via telehealth avenues by the Biden administration in 2021. Last June, Kennedy asked Makary to review the drug and its safety and efficacy data in real-world settings.

Critics of Makary said that he delayed the mifepristone review, prompting some conservative groups to call for his firing. For example, the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life American group said that Makary has undermined the Trump administration on the issue.

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