Trump Nominates Overton to FDA Chief

President Trump nominated Heidi Overton, a physician and longtime White House health policy aide with experience at Johns Hopkins, the University of New Mexico, and leadership roles at the America First Policy Institute, to lead the FDA. Her nomination comes as the agency faces upheaval following Marty Makary's resignation and thousands of staff layoffs and turnover. Supporters describe her as aligned with Trump's health agenda, while critics note the FDA must balance fast cures, lower drug prices, and vaccine policy amid political scrutiny. Her background includes experience as a White House Fellow and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. The nomination follows actions around an executive order on vaccines that sought to trim vaccine recommendations, which has drawn public health scrutiny. If confirmed, she would inherit an FDA reassessing approvals and regulatory timelines amid leadership changes.