Trump's FDA Shake-Up: Ousting Makary to Satisfy Anti-Abortion Demands
President Donald Trump is gearing up to kick FDA head Marty Makary to the curb, all in a bid to placate anti-abortion factions who’ve been relentless in their demands for stricter controls on mifepristone, the drug that allows women to terminate unwanted pregnancies with relative ease.
An insider from the administration spilled the beans, confirming that Trump has greenlit plans to oust Makary from his position as the nation’s top drug regulator. However, as of now, no official action has been taken against him.
When pressed about the potential firing while exiting the White House on Friday evening, Trump played coy. “Uh, I’ve been reading about it, but I know nothing about it,” he insisted, dodging the question like a pro.
Meanwhile, CNN reported that high-ranking White House officials are set to huddle with anti-abortion activists who have been clamoring for Makary’s head ever since the FDA approved a generic version of mifepristone. This move has made the drug cheaper and more accessible for women seeking abortions, much to the chagrin of pro-life advocates.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, didn’t hold back her disdain, labeling the FDA’s decision to broaden access to abortion drugs as “reckless” and “unconscionable.” She argued that this medication “takes the lives of unborn children, places women and underage girls at serious risk, empowers abusers, and tramples pro-life laws enacted by states across the nation.”
Mifepristone has been a staple in the U.S. for 25 years under the brand name Mifeprex, used in tandem with misoprostol to facilitate medical abortions. Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which allows states to ban abortion outright, this drug has become a crucial resource for women in states where abortion is illegal. It can be prescribed via telemedicine and shipped discreetly to patients’ homes.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court reinstated nationwide access to mifepristone after a conservative federal appeals court had abruptly cut off telehealth access. However, this emergency relief is set to expire on May 11, paving the way for yet another contentious legal showdown over abortion rights at the highest court in the land.
If telehealth access is revoked when the court’s order lapses, patients across the country will be forced to trek to health centers to obtain mifepristone pills in person—a daunting journey that could span hundreds of miles for those in states where abortion is banned.
Should Trump follow through on his plan to fire Makary, it would leave yet another critical health agency without a permanent leader. The administration has been without a Surgeon General since Trump took office last year, having withdrawn his first three picks due to pushback from various party factions and pressure from senators. The CDC has also been leaderless for months, and the FDA’s vaccine regulator is currently without a head as well.
