CITIZENS NEWS

Trump's FDA pick Makary vows to fight censorship, tackle toxic food additives

By isabelle // 2025-03-07

• Dr. Marty Makary, Trump’s FDA nominee, emphasized scientific integrity, affordable drug pricing, and addressing toxic food additives during his Senate confirmation hearing.
• He pledged to tackle chronic illnesses linked to toxic additives, aligning with the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.
• Makary criticized the Biden administration for bypassing advisory committees in COVID-19 booster approvals, advocating for open scientific discourse.
• He focused on food safety, calling for evidence-based policies to address hazardous chemicals and pesticides impacting children’s health.
• Makary’s bipartisan support and commitment to FDA efficiency suggest he is poised for confirmation, with a Senate vote scheduled for March 13.

Dr. Marty Makary, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), appears poised for confirmation after a Senate hearing this week in which he emphasized his commitment to scientific integrity, affordable drug pricing, and addressing toxic food additives. The Johns Hopkins surgeon, known for his criticism of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and government overreach during the pandemic, faced tough questions from the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee but emerged as a unifying figure with bipartisan support. Makary’s hearing highlighted his dedication to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s health policy. He pledged to tackle chronic illnesses linked to toxic food additives, a growing concern for American families. “Half of our nation’s children are sick,” Makary said during the hearing. “Nobody has been doing anything meaningful on this front until we have gotten new momentum and enthusiasm from Secretary Kennedy and President Trump to finally address the root causes of these diseases.” Makary, a prominent critic of censorship during the COVID-19 pandemic, reiterated his commitment to open scientific discourse. He drew attention to the Biden administration’s decision to bypass advisory committee meetings when authorizing COVID-19 boosters, a move he called out as inconsistent with scientific rigor. When pressed by Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to reinstate a postponed FDA vaccine advisory committee meeting, Makary responded, “You can ask the Biden administration that chose not to convene the committee meeting for the COVID vaccine booster.”

Focus on food safety and chronic illness

Makary’s hearing also underscored his focus on food safety, particularly the impact of toxic additives and pesticides on children’s health. He called for a “consolidation of scientific research” on seed oils and other ingredients, emphasizing the need for evidence-based policies. He said that rather than focusing on one single ingredient that is impacting children's health, the root causes of diseases need to be addressed. His pledge to investigate hazardous chemicals in food aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push to reduce regulatory burdens while prioritizing public health. However, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) planned rollback of pesticide regulations could complicate these efforts. While Makary avoided making specific commitments on controversial issues like the abortion pill mifepristone, he assured lawmakers he would follow existing laws and review data collected under the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). “I will take a solid, hard look at the data,” he said, stopping short of endorsing further restrictions on the drug. Democrats pressed him on recent FDA staffing cuts, which he distanced himself from, promising to review the agency’s policies. “I welcome input on efficiencies at the agency,” Makary said. “At the same time, I want to make sure that the scientists and food inspectors central to the core mission have all the resources they need to do their job well.” Makary’s nomination reflects a broader shift in the FDA’s priorities under the Trump administration, with a renewed focus on scientific transparency, public health, and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies. His ability to navigate contentious issues while maintaining bipartisan support suggests he is well-positioned to lead the agency. The Senate HELP Committee is scheduled to vote on Makary’s nomination on March 13, and his confirmation appears all but certain. If confirmed, Makary will oversee an agency with an $7 billion annual budget and regulatory authority over 80% of the U.S. food supply, as well as drugs, medical devices, and tobacco products. Makary’s leadership could mark a turning point for the FDA — one that is rooted in scientific integrity, transparency, and a commitment to improving the health of all Americans. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org FoxNews.com Reuters.com

food additives vaccines toxins censorship FDA big government ingredients grocery Censored Science goodhealth MAHA