U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated White House policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, tapping a doctor with prior experience at a conservative think tank to steer the embattled agency through a period of significant upheaval.
Overton, currently deputy director of the White House domestic policy council, would replace acting FDA chief Kyle Diamantas, who took over in May after Marty Makary resigned as commissioner following a 13-month tenure. The agency has lost more than 3,000 staff—including division heads—over the past year, contributing to operational strain amid policy disputes over vaccines, flavored vapes, and an abortion-pill safety study.
The nomination comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces criticism for overseeing the dismissal of nearly 3,000 federal health department employees, a move that has triggered morale declines and departures of top talent. Erica Schwartz was confirmed earlier this month as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while Susan Monarez, previously confirmed as CDC director, was fired by Kennedy within weeks of her appointment.
Trump framed Overton’s appointment as critical to maintaining U.S. leadership in scientific discovery, stating in a social media post that she is known for tackling complex issues and delivering solutions. Kennedy, who oversees the FDA, praised Overton’s judgment and commitment, highlighting her ability to challenge assumptions and execute bold ideas.
Analysts and industry observers raised concerns about the nomination. Chris Meekins, a former Trump health official now at Raymond James, described Overton as lacking experience running large-scale operations and warned that her confirmation could reverse progress made since Makary’s departure. The FDA’s regulatory and scientific functions oversee a federal budget exceeding $2 trillion, making stability at the agency a matter of broad economic and public health significance.
Overton, who previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, has been visible in White House discussions on health policy, including a recent event where Trump announced an executive order to reduce the national childhood vaccination schedule and split the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots—a proposal pharmaceutical companies have indicated could take years to implement.
The nomination requires Senate confirmation, adding another layer of uncertainty as the FDA navigates ongoing policy conflicts and staffing shortages that have disrupted its regulatory and scientific operations.
