The president said Overton would champion an “America First” policy in regulatory agencies focused on pharmaceuticals and public health.
Published August 19, 2026
US President Donald Trump selects Heidi Overton Leads the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal regulatory agency that oversees Food safety, pharmaceutical standards, public health.
Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that Overton, a policy aide who previously worked at a Trump-aligned think tank, will promote “America First” policies at the agency.
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“Today, I am honored to nominate the wonderful Heidi Overton, M.D., as the next FDA Commissioner,” President Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Dr. Heidi has been a rock star in my administration, working directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and their teams to deliver some of the most transformative health challenges in history. She is known for tackling the toughest problems and bringing me the best solutions for our country.”
Mr. Overton’s appointment is intended to fill a vacancy at the FDA after former director Dr. Marty McCurry resigned in May. Mr. Overton must now be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The Trump administration’s relationship with health officials has been strained, with many officials and experts balking at efforts by the president and his allies to overturn long-standing scientific consensus on issues such as vaccines.
Overton’s LinkedIn profile states that he attended medical school at the University of New Mexico and earned a doctorate in clinical research from Johns Hopkins University. Before joining the Trump administration, he served as chief policy officer at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that advances President Trump’s priorities.
She became a trusted member of the White House during President Trump’s second term and was critical of the abortion pill, which has become a mainstay of anti-abortion activists calling for more restrictions on access to the drug.
Mr. Overton also appeared alongside President Trump, who is pushing for “most-favored-nation” agreements with drug companies to lower the cost of medical drugs in the United States. President Trump said Wednesday he would work together on this and other important promises.
