President Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, Dr. Marty Makary, faced tough questions from Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing. The Johns Hopkins surgeon promised to cut red tape and bring fresh transparency to the agency. Critics on the left attacked his past criticism of COVID vaccine mandates, but conservatives cheered his push for common-sense reforms.
Makary, a respected doctor and author, has long called out Big Pharma’s influence over Washington. He’s blasted the FDA for approving drugs with weak data and vowed to put patients first. “The system is broken,” Makary told lawmakers, pledging to clean up cozy ties between regulators and drug companies.
Democrats grilled Makary over his skepticism of vaccine rules for kids. Patty Murray claimed his views threaten public health, but Makary fired back. “Science shouldn’t be political,” he said, stressing that honest debate makes medicine stronger. He reminded senators that questioning authority is how breakthroughs happen.
The hearing turned fiery when Republicans slammed FDA bureaucracy. They praised Makary’s plan to streamline drug approvals so life-saving treatments reach Americans faster. “Enough with the delays,” said Senator Bill Cassidy, arguing that overcaution costs lives. Makary agreed, vowing to slash “pointless paperwork” holding up cures.
Democrats fretted about Makary working under RFK Jr., Trump’s HHS pick. They fear a “reckless” anti-vaccine agenda, but Makary insists he’ll follow the science. “Vaccines save lives, but mandates erode trust,” he stated. His balanced approach aims to rebuild confidence without heavy-handed rules.
Conservatives see Makary as a bold reformer unafraid to take on the system. His books exposing hospital greed and drug price scams won him fans nationwide. “He’s the watchdog we need,” said a Trump ally, noting Makary’s fight against opioid makers who lied about addiction risks.
Liberals worry he’ll weaken the FDA, but supporters argue strength comes from transparency. Makary wants more input from independent experts and everyday Americans. “Sunlight disinfects,” he said, promising to open the FDA’s closed-door meetings to public scrutiny.
If confirmed, Makary faces a steep climb to fix the FDA. But his message of accountability and efficiency resonates with voters tired of Washington’s failures. With the Senate GOP backing him, Makary’s confirmation looks likely—a win for Trump’s push to drain the swamp.
