President-elect Trump has nominated Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon and author, to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
In his nomination announcement, Trump wrote, “The FDA has lost the trust of the American people and has also overlooked its primary goal as a regulatory agency.”
Trump emphasized that Makary is an expert in oncologic surgery at Johns Hopkins University and a health policy expert, and he will “redirect the organization’s course and realign its focus.”
It was stated in the declaration that Makary will work under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) led by Secretary Kennedy.
Makary has been a vocal critic of various COVID-19 mandates. Born in the UK with Coptic Christian heritage, he obtained degrees from Bucknell University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
He is a fellow of the National Academy of Medicine in the United States.
Makary serves as the Director of Pancreas Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins University, and according to ResearchGate, his research has been cited over 22,000 times.
In his early years, he developed clear and detailed steps to help surgeons avoid neglecting subtle but crucial actions that could impact the outcome of patient treatment.
Makary’s best-selling book published in 2012, “Unaccountable,” documented serious issues in the American healthcare system and advocated for increased transparency. The book later inspired the Fox series “The Resident.”
In his 2019 book, “The Price We Pay,” Makary criticized the high cost and inefficiency of the American healthcare system.
In 2020, the surgeon advocated for universal mask-wearing and called for the widespread use of masks in a May 2020 opinion piece in The New York Times.
He later became a staunch critic of certain measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, during testimony before the House of Representatives, Makary opposed the FDA’s push for mandatory vaccine boosters.
Makary stated during his testimony, “Ignoring natural immunity has led to tens of thousands of American deaths that were preventable.”
In a September 2024 episode of the Epoch Times TV program “American Thought Leaders,” the surgeon further discussed his concerns about the response to COVID-19.
“Civic discussion is under threat. In the medical field, we must also combat censorship, control, and centralization,” Makary said. “We have seen a glimmer of hope during COVID, but this is an ongoing battle.”
“The primary goal of science is to establish a transparent foundation that allows us to discuss various ideas. The medical field has a tradition of excellence, tailoring different medical recommendations based on individual needs, preferences, and physiological characteristics, so we must preserve the freedom to customize care for people,” Makary said.
Makary will require confirmation by the Senate before formally assuming the position as FDA Commissioner.