President Trump announced the nomination of Dr. Heidi Overton to serve as commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration. In a statement posted to Truth Social, Trump praised Overton’s work within his administration alongside Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Oz, describing her as a “ROCKSTAR” and highlighting her role in advancing what he characterized as a transformative health agenda focused on faster drug approvals, reduced medication costs, and expanded clinical trial reforms.
Overton’s nomination places her at the helm of an agency that regulates pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food safety while also overseeing medication abortion access. In a 2023 policy brief, Overton characterized mifepristone—a medication used in abortion procedures—as “teleabortion” and “abortion-on-demand,” advocating for stricter congressional regulation. The nomination is significant given that approximately 23 million women reside in states with abortion bans, making medication abortion access a contentious issue.
Overton has recently drawn attention for her involvement in vaccine policy. She appeared alongside Trump at a press conference announcing an executive order to separate the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three individual shots. The American Academy of Pediatrics characterized the order as “dangerous,” and health experts have cited it as potentially creating vaccine confusion during what officials describe as the worst measles outbreak in 30 years. During the event, Trump made statements without scientific evidence linking the vaccine separation to improved autism rates, despite established research showing no connection between vaccines and autism.
Overton defended the vaccine separation approach and criticized certain states for following American Academy of Pediatrics guidance rather than guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose vaccine advisory panel was dismissed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The FDA position has experienced significant instability, with reports indicating this marks Trump’s third nomination attempt for the role after previously selecting acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas and Ohio Republican Bret Wenstrup. The agency has faced widespread staffing reductions and disease outbreak challenges during the current administration.
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