FDA nominee sidesteps questions on abortion pill, agency layoffs and other issues

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration largely sidestepped questions Thursday from senators about how he would handle numerous pressing issues before the agency, including recent layoffs, a canceled vaccine meeting and the continued availability of the abortion pill.

Dr. Marty Makary — a surgeon, author and researcher — lauded the FDA’s “gold-standard science” in testimony before the Senate’s health committee, which will vote on whether to advance his nomination. A professor at Johns Hopkins University, Makary is known for his contrarian views and previously called the FDA “broken,” and “mired in politics and red tape” while working as a commentator for Fox News.

He repeatedly assured Republican and Democratic senators he would follow the “scientific process” at FDA. But he wouldn't commit to specific actions on a host of hot-button issues, including the abortion pill mifepristone, which has been ensnared in politics since a 2021 decision by FDA making it available by mail.

“I have no preconceived plans on mifepristone policy except to take a hard look at the data and to meet with the professional career scientists at the FDA who have reviewed the data,” Makary told Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Louisiana Republican who chairs the health committee.

Makary's remarks echoed those of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, who told lawmakers in January he wants to “study” the safety of mifepristone and a host of other long-established therapies, including antidepressants, childhood vaccines and attention-deficit drugs. The prospect of Trump officials overturning the approval of FDA-approved medicines is a growing concern for physicians, medical researchers and drugmakers.

Mifepristone was approved roughly 25 years ago and FDA scientists have repeatedly reaffirmed its safety over the years, easing limits on its use, including eliminating a requirement that patients pick it up in person. The FDA has been facing pressure from anti-abortion groups and lawmakers to restrict mifepristone following legal battles over access.

Like other drugs, the FDA continues to collect reports of side effects and complications with the pill. Makary said he wouldn’t “prejudge the data without seeing it.”

That idea didn’t reassure Sen. Maggie Hassan, one of several Democrats who pressed Makary to commit to keeping the drug available under its current framework, which allows online prescribing by health professionals.

“The concern is whether you are going to unilaterally overrule the data that currently exists for political purposes," the New Hampshire senator said, after referring to dozens of studies supporting the drug's safe use. “We need to know when you say that you’re an independent scientist, that’s what you really mean.”

FDA commissioners aren’t typically involved in the agency’s day-to-day medical reviews, but they often serve as a buffer between FDA scientists and political forces elsewhere in government.

If confirmed, Makary would take over at a particularly turbulent period for the agency. Last month, the FDA abruptly fired hundreds of staffers across multiple parts of the agency, only to rehire some of them a week later. The agency’s top food regulator and several other senior leaders have resigned or retired in recent weeks.

Makary told lawmakers he was "not involved” in any of the recent staff reductions and would do his own assessment on whether some employees should be rehired.

Similarly, Makary said he had no involvement in FDA’s recent decision to abruptly cancel a meeting of outside vaccine experts who were scheduled to make recommendations for next season’s flu shots. He downplayed the significance of the meeting and wouldn't commit to rescheduling it, noting that in previous years the FDA panel “rubber-stamped” recommendations made by international vaccine authorities.

As commissioner, Makary said he would “reevaluate” which vaccine topics merit consulting the agency's outside advisers.

Trump administration officials said FDA’s staff scientists will choose strains for the shots and send them to manufacturers, ensuring that updated vaccines are ready for the fall.

“What is lost is the transparency,” said Cassidy, who noted that eliminating the public meeting cuts against Kennedy’s pledge for “radical transparency" in health decisions. “We want the American people to know, and obviously canceling the meeting shuts the door a little bit."

The cancellation marked the second time in less than a week that the Trump administration intervened in a previously scheduled vaccine meeting. A late February meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel has been postponed, with no new date set.

Kennedy recently called for a “Make America Healthy Again” commission to review the safety of a number of FDA-approved products, including vaccines, weight-loss drugs and stimulants. Given Kennedy’s history of spreading discredited fears about vaccines, health groups and Democratic lawmakers have warned that he could appoint new experts who share his beliefs to FDA's vaccine advisory panel.

Again, Makary said he has “no preconceived plans to rearrange that committee or any committee,” and he defended Kennedy’s efforts: “Secretary Kennedy wants to make America healthy again.”

Makary emphasized his support for Kennedy's “MAHA agenda,” particularly on food, where he said additives, colorings and other chemicals could be contributing to chronic health problems.

“These are chemicals that the industry insists are safe — a subset of which are concerning,” Makary told Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville “We have to look at those ingredients, and you have my commitment to do so if confirmed."

Compared with Kennedy, Makary is considered one of Trump’s more conventional health nominees and is widely expected to be confirmed. A full Senate vote on his nomination is expected in the coming weeks.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Martin Makary, left, nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services, speaks with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during his nomination hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill in Thursday March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Martin Makary nominated to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Troops from several European countries continued to arrive in Greenland on Thursday in a show of support for Denmark as talks between representatives of Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. highlighted “fundamental disagreement” over the future of the Arctic island.

Denmark announced it would increase its military presence in Greenland on Wednesday as foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland were preparing to meet with White House representatives in Washington. Several European partners — including France, Germany, the U.K., Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands — started sending symbolic numbers of troops already on Wednesday or promised to do so in the following days.

The troop movements were intended to portray unity among Europeans and send a signal to President Donald Trump that an American takeover of Greenland is not necessary as NATO together can safeguard the security of the Arctic region amid rising Russian and Chinese interest.

“The first French military elements are already en route” and “others will follow,” French President Emmanuel Macron announced Wednesday, as French authorities said about 15 soldiers from the mountain infantry unit were already in Nuuk for a military exercise.

Germany will deploy a reconnaissance team of 13 personnel to Greenland on Thursday, the Defense Ministry said.

On Thursday, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the intention was “to establish a more permanent military presence with a larger Danish contribution,” according to Danish broadcaster DR. He said soldiers from several NATO countries will be in Greenland on a rotation system.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, flanked by his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt, said Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains with Trump after they held highly anticipated talks at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rasmussen added that it remains “clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland” but that dialogue with the U.S. would continue at a high level over the following weeks.

Inhabitants of Greenland and Denmark reacted with anxiety but also some relief that negotiations with the U.S. would go on and European support was becoming visible.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the continuation of “dialogue and diplomacy.”

“Greenland is not for sale,” he said Thursday. “Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed from the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”

In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, local residents told The Associated Press they were glad the first meeting between Greenlandic, Danish and American officials had taken place but suggested it left more questions than answers.

Several people said they viewed Denmark’s decision to send more troops, and promises of support from other NATO allies, as protection against possible U.S. military action. But European military officials have not suggested the goal is to deter a U.S. move against the island.

Maya Martinsen, 21, said it was “comforting to know that the Nordic countries are sending reinforcements” because Greenland is a part of Denmark and NATO.

The dispute, she said, is not about “national security” but rather about “the oils and minerals that we have that are untouched.”

On Wednesday, Poulsen announced a stepped-up military presence in the Arctic “in close cooperation with our allies,” calling it a necessity in a security environment in which “no one can predict what will happen tomorrow.”

“This means that from today and in the coming time there will be an increased military presence in and around Greenland of aircraft, ships and soldiers, including from other NATO allies,” Poulsen said.

Asked whether the European troop movements were coordinated with NATO or what role the U.S.-led military alliance might play in the exercises, NATO referred all questions to the Danish authorities. However, NATO is currently studying ways to bolster security in the Arctic.

The Russian embassy in Brussels on Thursday lambasted what it called the West's “bellicose plans” in response to “phantom threats that they generate themselves”. It said the planned military actions were part of an “anti-Russian and anti-Chinese agenda” by NATO.

“Russia has consistently maintained that the Arctic should remain a territory of peace, dialogue and equal cooperation," the embassy said.

Rasmussen announced the creation of a working group with the Americans to discuss ways to work through differences.

“The group, in our view, should focus on how to address the American security concerns, while at the same time respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.

Commenting on the outcome of the Washington meeting on Thursday, Poulsen said the working group was “better than no working group” and “a step in the right direction.” He added nevertheless that the dialogue with the U.S. did not mean “the danger has passed.”

Speaking on Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the American ambition to take over Greenland remains intact despite the Washington meeting, but she welcomed the creation of the working group.

The most important thing for Greenlanders is that they were directly represented at the meeting in the White House and that “the diplomatic dialogue has begun now,” Juno Berthelsen, a lawmaker for the pro-independence Naleraq opposition party, told AP.

A relationship with the U.S. is beneficial for Greenlanders and Americans and is “vital to the security and stability of the Arctic and the Western Alliance,” Berthelsen said. He suggested the U.S. could be involved in the creation of a coast guard for Greenland, providing funding and creating jobs for local people who can help to patrol the Arctic.

In Washington, Rasmussen and Motzfeldt met with a bipartisan group of senators at the U.S. Capitol.

“We really appreciate that we have close friends in the Senate and the House as well,” Rasmussen told reporters, adding that Denmark would work to “accommodate any reasonable American requests” with Greenland.

There has been significant concern among lawmakers of both political parties that Trump could upend the NATO alliance by insisting on using military force to possess Greenland. Key Republicans lawmakers have pushed back on those plans and suggested that the Trump administration should work with Denmark to enhance mutual security in the Arctic.

Line McGee, 38, from Copenhagen, told AP that she was glad to see some diplomatic progress. “I don’t think the threat has gone away,” she said. “But I feel slightly better than I did yesterday.”

Trump, in his Oval Office meeting with reporters, said: “We’ll see how it all works out. I think something will work out.”

Niemann reported from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Ciobanu from Warsaw, Poland. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves in Washington contributed to this report.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt speak at a news conference at the Embassy of Denmark, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

People walk on a street in Nuuk, Greenland, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

From center to right, Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, Denmark's Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen, rear, and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, right, arrive on Capitol Hill to meet with senators from the Arctic Caucus, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

An Airbus A400M transport aircraft of the German Air Force taxis over the grounds at Wunstorf Air Base in the Hanover region, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 as troops from NATO countries, including France and Germany, are arriving in Greenland to boost security. (Moritz Frankenberg/dpa via AP)

Fishermen load fishing lines into a boat in the harbor of Nuuk, Greenland, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, left, and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, arrive on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Senate Arctic Caucus, in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)