Trump selects Heidi Overton to lead FDA after months of turmoil

President Donald Trump has selected White House policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration following a turbulent year of staff exits and industry complaints. Overton, a medical doctor with a PhD from Johns Hopkins University, has led White House health policy during Trump's second term, overseeing vaccine schedules and food pyramid overhauls. Her nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, comes after Trump interviewed candidates including oncologist Jeff Vacirca.

Heidi Overton FDA commissioner nomination

• ▪President Donald Trump has chosen White House policy aide Heidi Overton to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to reports on August 19, 2026.
• ▪The nomination of Heidi Overton to serve as the Food and Drug Administration commissioner will require scrutiny and confirmation from a Senate panel.

FDA leadership turmoil

• ▪The White House sought to fill multiple leadership roles at the Food and Drug Administration in August 2026 alongside the commissioner position.
• ▪The Food and Drug Administration experienced a turbulent year in 2026 marked by high-profile staff exits and industry complaints.

White House health policy role

• ▪Heidi Overton has served as the deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of domestic policy for the White House, leading health policy since the start of Donald Trump's second term.
• ▪Heidi Overton's health policy decisions at the White House have at times frustrated leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement.
• ▪In her White House role, Heidi Overton helped oversee health policy efforts including redesigning the food pyramid, overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule, and negotiating drug pricing deals with pharmaceutical companies.

Alternative FDA commissioner candidates

• ▪Prior to selecting Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump interviewed other potential candidates for the Food and Drug Administration commissioner role, including physician Jeff Vacirca.
• ▪Georgia Republican Representative Buddy Carter emerged as a potential candidate for the Food and Drug Administration commissioner post during the selection process in August 2026.

Overton medical background credentials

• ▪Heidi Overton is a medical doctor who earned a doctorate in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University.
• ▪Heidi Overton previously worked at the America First Policy Institute think tank and served as a White House fellow during the first Trump administration.

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