Trump (R) announced 8/19/2026 will Nominate Heidi Overton (R), a top aide at the White House’s Domestic Policy Council, to serve as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If confirmed, Overton would succeed Marty Makary in a position that is one of the most powerful in U.S. health care, with the agency’s sweeping mandate touching the daily lives of every American. The FDA oversees drugs, vaccines, tobacco products, the bulk of the food supply and more.
“Dr. Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “She is known to take on the HARDEST issues, and bring me solutions that work best for the Country.” The administration struggled to fill the open role, with some outside candidates turning it down amid fears of political interference over FDA decisions. The selection process also has lasted weeks longer than expected, with Trump ultimately opting for a familiar face already in his administration.
A physician who is board-certified in public health and general preventive medicine, Overton previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank. She has appeared with Trump to announce a slew of White House policies but has maintained a low public profile compared with some of Trump’s past FDA commissioners, such as Makary and Scott Gottlieb, who have been prolific commentators in the media.
Overton will need to be confirmed by the Senate, which has moved slowly on confirming some nominees to key health posts. Bloomberg News first reported Tuesday on Overton’s expected selection. Makary resigned in May after months of turmoil at the agency incurred the frustration of White House officials. Makary’s allies have characterized his departure as a matter of principle, saying he was unhappy about efforts to allow the sale of fruit-flavored vapes.
Overton is expected to face scrutiny from Democrats and public health experts — who have said that the FDA needs a strong leader to rebuff political pressure — as well as some supporters of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA movement who have been upset about some White House actions, such as around moves to boost use of the herbicide glyphosate. “The nail in the coffin for MAHA,” Alex Clark, a prominent conservative wellness influencer and podcaster aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement, wrote in a text message. “Might as well have chosen Ronald McDonald” for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Overton has been involved in many health announcements throughout Trump’s term, but some FDA watchers have noted that she doesn’t have experience running a massive organization with thousands of employees, which could concern the drug industry that relies on a predictable agency to understand what it needs to do to win approvals. Overton’s allies say she would bring strengths to the FDA role, such as her knowledge of how to navigate the administration and her personal relationship with Trump, said two people familiar with her planned selection, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment.
They have touted her work ethic, willingness to read the medical literature and ability to change her mind in light of new evidence, such as shifting her position on the administration’s approach to psychedelic policy. After some initial resistance, Overton joined Trump and Kennedy at an announcement to expand access to psychedelics earlier this year. Her nomination is likely to draw concerns from some major medical groups. She stood next to Trump last week when he announced his most significant attempt to reshape how American children are vaccinated, such as cutting the number of recommended immunizations, spacing out shots and pushing to split the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate injections. Some prominent medical associations have denounced the executive order as leaving children vulnerable to preventing diseases and putting their health at risk. “It is a historic day and a historic action,” she said, referring to the executive order, in the Oval Office last week.
Overton may also face a difficult path in the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow three-vote edge. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who chairs the Senate health panel that would consider Overton’s nomination, has also battled with Trump since the president endorsed a rival candidate in Cassidy’s primary and helped ensure his political defeat.
Since Makary’s departure, Kyle Diamantas — who had overseen the agency’s food program and was elevated earlier this year to be one of Kennedy’s senior counselors — is serving as the acting FDA chief. His tenure has earned praise from career staffers and some of the industries the agency regulates.
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