Fox News reports President Donald Trump will nominate Dr. Heidi Overton to lead FDA after Marty Makary’s May resignation

The report says Overton would take over as Food and Drug Administration commissioner following Marty Makary’s departure in May. The specific timeline and formal nomination steps have not been confirmed in an official record provided here.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

President Donald Trump’s planned next Food and Drug Administration commissioner is under review after Fox News reported that Trump will nominate Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the agency. Marty Makary resigned as FDA commissioner in May, according to the report, after criticism from White House officials, Fox News said.

The White House nomination process for FDA leadership typically includes a formal announcement and the submission of a presidential nomination to the Senate for confirmation. As of this drafting, no White House page or Federal Register document provided in the materials here confirms the nomination itself, so the nomination should be treated as reported rather than verified in an official record.

FDA activity on regulation and public health continues in the interim. On Aug. 19, 2026, the Federal Register published FDA notices announcing the filing of several food-related color additive petitions, including a petition from GNT USA, LLC. to amend color additive regulations to permit safe use of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) extract in various foods, and petitions from other industry-related filers addressing additional color additive and manufacturing-related proposals.

Also on Aug. 19, FDA posted a Federal Register notice amending regulations for food additives permitted in feed and drinking water of animals. The notice relates to the safe use of chromium DL-methionine chelate as a nutritional source of chromium in cattle feed, and it states the action responds to a food additive petition filed by Zinpro Corp.

In another Federal Register publication posted Aug. 18, FDA released a draft guidance for industry on how applicants should decide whether to submit an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) or a 505(b)(2) application. The notice indicates the draft guidance is intended to help applicants select among the two abbreviated approval pathways under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act framework.

If Overton’s nomination moves forward, the Senate confirmation step would be the key next milestone, along with any transition planning inside the FDA commissioner’s office. For now, FDA’s published Federal Register notices show the agency continuing to process regulatory petitions, propose or update guidance, and advance rulemakings that affect the food supply and drug development pathways.

Why It Matters

The FDA commissioner role is central to how the agency sets regulatory priorities, approves policy guidance, and oversees enforcement priorities across foods, drugs, and other regulated products.
The nomination and Senate confirmation process will determine who has formal authority to lead FDA during ongoing rulemaking and guidance development.
Continuing Federal Register activity shows that, regardless of leadership changes, FDA remains engaged in processing petitions and issuing regulatory updates that can affect regulated industries and public health compliance.
If a new commissioner takes over, the timing of transition could affect how quickly proposed guidance or pending petitions are prioritized for review and next steps.
Because the Overton nomination is not yet confirmed in an official record provided here, the practical effect depends on when a formal nomination and Senate action are filed.

Sources

Key Facts

Fox News reported that President Donald Trump will nominate Dr. Heidi Overton to be the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
Fox News said Marty Makary resigned as FDA commissioner in May and cited criticism from White House officials in connection with his departure.
As of this drafting, no provided White House page or Federal Register notice confirms the Overton nomination itself.
On Aug. 19, 2026, the Federal Register published FDA notices announcing the filing of multiple food color additive petitions, including one from GNT USA, LLC. for safflower extract.
On Aug. 19, 2026, the Federal Register published an FDA rule amending food additive regulations for cattle feed that respond to a petition filed by Zinpro Corp.
On Aug. 18, 2026, the Federal Register published an FDA draft guidance for industry on whether to submit an ANDA or a 505(b)(2) application.