White House Domestic Policy Council Deputy Director Heidi Overton speaks during an executive order that reevaluates childhood vaccines in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 10, 2026. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has nominated White House aide Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration, drawing anger from Democrats and criticism from a key Republican senator.
Trump announced his nomination of Overton to be the next FDA commissioner on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, calling the deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council "a ROCKSTAR in my administration."
"She is known to take on the HARDEST issues, and bring me solutions that work best for the Country," Trump said. "We need her leadership at the FDA now to ensure that the U.S. remains the WORLD LEADER for Scientific Discovery and CURES."
If confirmed by the Senate, Overton will be tasked with overseeing agency policy concerning drugs, vaccines, tobacco products and much of the food supply, among other responsibilities. Kyle Diamantas, a friend of Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. has been serving as acting FDA commissioner since Marty Makary resigned as head of the agency in May following reported clashes with the Trump administration over its decision to authorize fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes.
