Trump Nominates Dr. Heidi Overton as Next FDA Commissioner

President Trump announced on August 19, 2026, via Truth Social that he is nominating Dr. Heidi Overton, currently a deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Overton is a physician who has served as a top White House aide on health policy issues. If confirmed by the Senate, she would succeed Marty Makary, who resigned from the FDA commissioner role in May 2026 following criticism from White House officials. Overton has been described as a strong supporter of President Trump's health agenda, including efforts to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule—changes that have drawn criticism from medical experts. She has also been characterized as a supporter of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again initiative. The New York Times additionally reported that Overton is a strong opponent of abortion rights, a characterization not corroborated by other outlets in this set. The FDA has reportedly experienced an exodus of senior staff in recent months, contributing to broader turmoil within the agency ahead of this nomination. Overton's nomination requires Senate confirmation before she can formally take over as FDA commissioner; the timeline for confirmation hearings has not been specified in available reporting. Her specific medical specialty, educational background, and prior professional experience beyond her White House role were not detailed across the sources reviewed. The extent of her involvement in shaping the administration's vaccine schedule changes, and the degree to which her confirmation may face opposition from Senate Democrats or medical organizations, remain unresolved based on current reporting.