Trump Overruled Makary, RFK, to Fire Prasad: Sources

Based on conversations with four anonymous knowledgeable sources, Politico is reporting that President Donald Trump overruled FDA commissioner Martin Makary and HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to insist that CBER director Vinay Prasad be removed from FDA. Prasad had come under attack from conservative presidential whisperer Laura Loomer, former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA), and the Wall Street Journal editorial board.

One of the sources expressed concern that Kennedy would now place a hardcore anti-vaxxer at the helm of CBER. Politico says Prasad could not be reached for comment, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Loomer started speaking out against Prasad in mid-July, writing on her Web site that he was a “progressive leftist saboteur undermining President Trump’s FDA.” He became embroiled in the agency’s back-and-forth position on Sarepta’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment Elevidys. FDA asked the company to pause shipments of the drug and then reversed its position. Prasad had criticized the decision of former CBER director Peter Marks to approve the drug for nearly all patients in 6/2024, Politico says.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) said he texted Trump to be sure the president was aware that the muscular dystrophy community was upset with Prasad’s initial decision to pause Elevidys shipments.

Loomer also called attention to Prasad’s 2021 social media posts, saying he was a “political liberal” who supported Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). She also cited statements he reportedly made disparaging Trump and supporting then-candidate Joe Biden to win the 2020 presidential election.

“Prasad’s policy positions are a direct affront to the conservative principles underpinning Trump’s agenda,” Loomer declared, noting his support for universal healthcare and abortion rights.

While Makary said that new CDER director George Tidmarsh would do double duty as CBER acting director, Politico reports that a reorganization is being considered that would split CBER into a vaccine regulation entity and a therapeutic entity. Such a change reportedly would allow Kennedy to name an anti-vaxxer to the regulation side, to address the criticism from some of his backers that he has not been sufficiently aggressive on vaccines.

Children’s Health Defense CEO Mary Holland told the news service, “What matters is that a highly qualified scientist and public health expert quickly steps into this essential role,”…. She said the new director must have “a strong commitment to transparency, honest science, and protecting the public health over commercial profits.”

Makary had praised Prasad as a “genius” who had made “tremendous” policy changes during his short tenure. He said reasons for his resignation included his roots in California and his desire not to be a distraction to the administration. Makary said FDA would continue to talk with Prasad.