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# Trump to Name Stephen Hahn FDA Commissioner: BioCentury
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/trump-to-name-stephen-hahn-fda-commissioner-biocentury/
- Published: 2019-10-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T01:53:58.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5145145

President **Donald Trump** reportedly will nominate University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center chief medical executive **Stephen Hahn** to be FDA commissioner. *BioCentury* [says](https://www.biocentury.com/bc-extra/politics-policy/2019-10-01/trump-nominate-hahn-fda-commissioner?ref=fdaweb.com) sources familiar with the decision informed it of the choice. The nomination reportedly would be announced following completion of FBI background checks.

Hahn is said to be the top choice of HHS secretary **Alex Azar**. *BioCentury* says the most contentious issue facing Hahn in the confirmation process is likely to be the agency’s policies on vaping.

Trump must name a permanent commissioner, or new acting commissioner, by November 1, under terms of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. *BioCentury* reports that acting commissioner **Ned Sharpless** is expected to remain in place during the confirmation process. He had been considered one of three primary candidates to be named commissioner, and letters [supporting](https://www.fdaweb.com/sharpless-supporters-more-vocal/) him had gone to Trump and Azar. It is assumed that he would return to his position as director of the National Cancer Institute upon leaving FDA.