FDA chief resigns after Trump pushes to approve fruity e-cigs

Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump called Makary over the weekend to criticize him for not moving faster to approve flavored vapes, particularly those flavored with menthol, mango, and blueberry from Los Angeles-based maker Glas. The FDA approved the flavoring products a few days later and issued them new policy which would make it easier to sell flavored vapes.

Trump administration officials also said Makary had angered anti-abortionists, who accused him of slowing down the safety process for mifepristone, a pill used to treat abortions and abortions.

Officials also said Makary had butted heads with other health officials and appeared to be struggling to manage his agency. He is said to have made enemies among lobbyists in the biotech, tobacco, and pharmaceutical industries. Health experts criticized Makary for the changes in the FDA’s vaccine policy under his watch, which coincided with the anti-vaccine agenda of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy.

“He has disappointed almost everyone involved in the FDA issues, which is not easy,” Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, told the Times.

According to Politico, which first reported Makary’s resignation, it was Kennedy—not Trump—who made the call in preparing to fire Makary, though Trump had to agree.