Political influence ‘a serious problem’ for FDA under Trump, former commissioner says

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/2026/03/19/political-influence-serious-problem-fda-form...

Published: Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:54:44 +0000

Former FDA Commissioner Robert Califf called political influence a "serious problem" for the agency under the Trump administration[1]. Hundreds of individualized treatments for rare diseases could be available in the next decade if regulators get the new therapeutics right[original content]. Califf expressed uncertainty about the FDA's future under the incoming Trump administration and disappointment with the outcome of the election[1]. He warned that the FDA's ability to hire and retain qualified staff could be at risk because of the hostile attitude of Trump ally Robert F. Kennedy Jr. against civil servants[1]. Most of the FDA's regulatory decisions are made by rank-and-file employees, but they can be legally overridden by the commissioner, the president, or the secretary of health[1]. RFK Jr. expressed skepticism about the FDA's food and nutrition staff and wants to use the agency to fight chronic diseases[1]. Trump plans to give Kennedy power over health policy[1].