Former FDA Chief Marty Makary Accuses Trump Administration of Bowing to Industry/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary accused White House and Health Department aides of prioritizing vaping approvals and lobbyists over public health goals. His comments reinforce criticism from former health adviser Calley Means about industry influence on the administration’s policy agenda. Makary resigned in May following disputes over flavored vapes and broader concerns about FDA management and regulatory decisions.
Quick Look
- Industry allegations: Makary said aides pressured him to approve more vaping products and accommodate lobbyists.
- Corruption claim: He said he rejected conduct he viewed as government corruption.
- White House response: The administration did not immediately respond to his comments.
- Related criticism: Former adviser Calley Means accused senior officials of obstructing food and pesticide policies.
- Departure context: Makary’s May resignation followed a clash over fruit-flavored vape pods and other disputes.
- Broader problems: His tenure included complaints about drug reviews, management and senior departures.
- Agency restructuring: FDA downsizing and leadership changes disrupted an agency already facing internal tensions.
Deep Look
Makary Says Aides Pressed FDA on Vape Approvals
Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary accused Trump administration aides of placing industry interests ahead of public health priorities, saying he faced pressure to authorize more vaping products.
“A lot of pressure from White House and HHS aides was not on medical cures or healthy food but instead on getting more vapes approved and catering to lobbyists,” Makary told POLITICO on Tuesday.
“Americans don’t want their kids smoking strawberry banana vapes — they want a government that stands up to corruption.”
Makary, who resigned in May, linked his criticism to the Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections.
“Every time I saw government corruption, I rejected it, just as voters did last week,” he said.
His remarks appear to be his first public description of White House pressure during his tenure. They represent his allegations; the report did not establish a formal finding of corruption.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Makary’s statements followed criticism from Calley Means, a former senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Means accused several senior administration officials, including former White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, of obstructing policies supported by the Make America Healthy Again movement.
His complaints focused on food and pesticides.
The White House has disputed Means’ claims, which he has continued promoting on social media.
Makary’s account adds another former health official’s criticism to the debate over how the administration balances its health agenda with industry demands.
Flavored Vape Dispute Preceded His Resignation
A confrontation over Makary’s opposition to authorizing fruit-flavored vape pods immediately preceded his departure.
However, POLITICO previously reported that several issues contributed to his resignation rather than a single disagreement.
His tenure generated frustration among anti-abortion Republicans who wanted the FDA to restrict online prescriptions of mifepristone, a medication used in abortion care.
Drug companies separately complained that the agency’s product reviews were inconsistent under his leadership.
Those disputes placed Makary under pressure from different political and industry constituencies.
Departures and Management Complaints Added to Turmoil
The FDA also lost prominent career officials and political allies during Makary’s tenure.
Among the departures was Richard Pazdur, the former director of the agency’s Oncology Center of Excellence.
Rank-and-file employees raised concerns about poor management, adding to the agency’s internal difficulties.
The combination of regulatory disputes, staff dissatisfaction and leadership turnover formed part of the broader backdrop to Makary’s exit.
Downsizing Changed FDA Leadership Structure
The agency underwent major staff reductions in early 2025 through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
After those cuts, Makary selected two close allies to lead the FDA’s drug and vaccine centers—positions historically held by career employees.
Both appointees had challenged the Biden administration’s Covid-19 policies during the pandemic.
Makary’s latest allegations place renewed attention on the pressures surrounding FDA decisions, while the circumstances of his tenure also reflect disputes over his own management and restructuring choices.
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