6 reactions to Marty Makary resigning from FDA after e-cig, abortion pill tensions

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, May 16, 2026

3. Reproductive Freedom for All 

Reproductive Freedom for All, formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America, argued that Marty Makary’s resignation reflects growing political turmoil surrounding the FDA and the national debate over abortion pills.

In a Tuesday press release, the abortion advocacy group pointed to Makary’s resignation shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay this month in Louisiana v. FDA.

In an order, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito paused a ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that sided with Louisiana in its challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s 2023 decision loosening restrictions on obtaining mifepristone.

“Marty Makary’s resignation is the latest sign of the chaos and political interference consuming the FDA — and the timing of it underscores what it looks like for fringe groups to have the ear of the White House,” Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO Mini Timmaraju said in a Tuesday statement.

“Makary launched a sham FDA review of mifepristone based on junk science, and that still wasn’t enough for anti-abortion extremists who are pushing for someone even more out of step with the American people to run the agency,” Timmaraju added.

“Voters are paying attention to what is happening in the courts and inside federal agencies because these decisions have real consequences for people’s lives, health care, and freedom,” Timmaraju continued. “Americans deserve an FDA guided by medical evidence and public health, not political agendas aimed at forcing people into pregnancy against their will.”

The Trump administration recently faced criticism from pro-life advocacy groups, who accused the FDA of slow-walking a safety review of mifepristone. Pro-life doctors and advocacy groups contend that the abortion pill can severely impact women’s health, and allowing access to it online places women at risk of coercion from their partner or family members.

Pro-life advocacy groups accused the Trump administration of slow-walking the safety review of mifepristone because they believe it would be a political liability during the 2026 midterm elections, a claim that the administration denied.