{"id":2602391,"date":"2026-05-13T19:04:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T23:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bill-cassidy-says-new-fda-chief-lacks-drug-and-medical-device-experience\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T19:06:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T23:06:33","slug":"bill-cassidy-says-new-fda-chief-lacks-drug-and-medical-device-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bill-cassidy-says-new-fda-chief-lacks-drug-and-medical-device-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Bill Cassidy says new FDA chief lacks drug and medical device experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbill-cassidy-says-new-fda-chief-lacks-drug-and-medical-device-experience%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2602391&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill cassidy (R-LA) says acting FDA commissioner Kyle Diamantas lacks the medical and technical background needed to oversee the FDA\u2019s complex work on drugs and medical devices, which he argues make up the agency\u2019s core responsibilities. Cassidy notes Diamantas had previously served as director of the FDA\u2019s Human Foods Program and describes him as trained primarily as a lawyer, not as a healthcare or drug-approval expert.  <\/p>\n<p>Diamantas was tapped to temporarily led the FDA after President Donald Trump\u2019s first commissioner,Dr. Marty Makary, resigned following controversies at the agency. Cassidy says he hopes Diamantas serves only briefly and stresses his concern about Diamantas\u2019s experience with matters such as medical devices and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine.  <\/p>\n<p>The article also includes support from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who said he has \u201cfull confidence\u201d in Diamantas and that a search for a permanent commissioner is underway. Cassidy\u2019s committee is responsible for confirming the nominee, and the piece references Cassidy\u2019s previous clashes with the White House and criticism from opponents who allege he has financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. It also recalls that Cassidy helped block a different Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >surgeon general nominee<\/a>,Dr. Casey Means,whose nomination was later withdrawn and replaced by Nicole Saphier,pending confirmation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE \u2014 <\/strong>Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-cassidy\">Bill Cassidy<\/a> (R-LA) said the new acting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fda\/\">Food and Drug Administration<\/a> commissioner, Kyle Diamantas, does not have the prerequisite expertise to oversee the agency\u2019s complex medical device and pharmaceutical oversight. <\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s first commissioner, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Dr7Wufln1u\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Dr7Wufln1u\">Dr. Marty Makary<\/a>, abruptly resigned from office on Tuesday afternoon following a series of controversies at the FDA, one of the largest regulatory agencies within the sprawling Department of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health-and-human-services\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/health-and-human-services\/\">Health and Human Services<\/a>. Diamantas, previously director of the Human Foods Program at the FDA, was selected to be the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/developing-trump-to-meet-with-acting-defense-secretary-chris-miller-in-the-oval-office-at-330-pm\/\" title=\"DEVELOPING: ... to Meet with Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller in the Oval Office at 3:30 PM\">acting director<\/a> when Makary\u2019s resignation was announced.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4566282\/whistleblower-accuses-fauci-misled-intelligence-community-covid-origins\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>CIA whistleblower accuses Fauci of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/details-buried-in-declassified-docs-further-implicate-obama\/\" title=\"Details Buried In Declassified Docs Further Implicate Obama\">misleading intelligence community<\/a> on COVID-19 origins<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4565282\/conservative-parent-group-call-trump-target-illegal-chinese-vape\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Conservative parents group calls on Trump to target illegal Chinese vapes<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4565587\/trump-compromise-upsets-anti-abortion-ivf-advocates\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump compromise upsets anti-abortion and IVF advocates<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Cassidy, who faces a tough Republican primary for reelection on Saturday, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-oans-chanel-rion-talks-election-fight-with-rudy-giuliani\/\" title=\"EXCLUSIVE: OAN\u2019s Chanel Rion talks election fight with Rudy Giuliani\">exclusive interview<\/a> that he hopes Diamantas is \u201conly the acting director for a very short period of time.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Diamantas was one of the leading architects of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409531\/no-added-sugar-more-protein-rfk-jr-maha-dietary-guidelines\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4409531\/no-added-sugar-more-protein-rfk-jr-maha-dietary-guidelines\/\">2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans<\/a>, a policy document governing federally funded food programs and the crowning jewel of the Make America Healthy Again movement.\u00a0He has also overseen the agency\u2019s \u201cOperation Stork Speed,\u201d meant to improve infant formula supply safety testing and food labeling reform.<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy, a medical doctor who specialized in liver disease, described Diamantas as \u201ca food guy, good guy, no complaints.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But he said he is concerned that Diamantas, a lawyer by training, does not have the experience with the complex issues of medical devices, including the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, that makes up \u201cthe bulk of their business\u201d at the FDA. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t mean to disrespect him, but if you look at the Food and Drug Administration, the relative importance of both parts of that, having an experience in healthcare and the approval of drugs is far more important than the food,\u201d Cassidy said.<\/p>\n<p>HHS Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\">Robert F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a>, the face of the administration\u2019s MAHA agenda, said on X Tuesday he has \u201cfull confidence\u201d in Diamantas to temporarily lead the agency and that the search for a new commissioner \u201cis already underway and we will <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/just-in-arizona-state-legislature-to-hold-public-hearing-on-election-integrity-on-monday-nov-30\/\" title=\"JUST IN: Arizona State Legislature to Hold Public Hearing on Election Integrity on Monday, Nov. 30\">move forward<\/a> with urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Marty, you took on entrenched interests, challenged the status quo, and never lost sight of the American people we serve. You pushed forward critical reforms and helped advance our mission to Make America Healthy Again. I\u2019m grateful for your courage and your friendship. Wishing\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UEKpAxNmHa\">https:\/\/t.co\/UEKpAxNmHa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SecKennedy\/status\/2054298698407186928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Cassidy\u2019s committee is responsible for confirming the president\u2019s FDA commissioner nominee.<\/p>\n<p>As chairman, Cassidy has had several clashes with the White House over confirmations, including for Kennedy due to his support for decreasing the number of vaccines children receive. <\/p>\n<p>Critics contend that Cassidy had a strong hand in blocking the nomination of Trump\u2019s surgeon general nominee, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4480093\/woo-woo-philosophy-trump-surgeon-general-pick\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4480093\/woo-woo-philosophy-trump-surgeon-general-pick\/\">Dr. Casey Means<\/a>, who did not have enough Republican votes in the HELP committee to advance. Means\u2019s nomination was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4549832\/radiologist-nicole-saphier-maha-casey-means-surgeon-general\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4549832\/radiologist-nicole-saphier-maha-casey-means-surgeon-general\/\">eventually withdrawn<\/a>. She was replaced by former Fox News contributor Nicole Saphier, who also awaits a confirmation hearing before Cassidy\u2019s committee.<\/p>\n<p>Cassidy\u2019s detractors also frequently emphasize his financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, which they say make him opposed to MAHA.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4564568\/marty-makary-out-at-fda\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4564568\/marty-makary-out-at-fda\/\">MARTY MAKARY, A TARGET OF INDUSTRY AND ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVISTS, OUT AT FDA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Calley Means, the brother of Trump\u2019s former surgeon general nominee and current White House health policy adviser, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/calleymeans\/status\/2049893588985638974?s=20\">took aim<\/a> at Cassidy in an X post following the withdrawal of his sister\u2019s nomination, saying that he personified \u201cdark forces\u201d against Americans\u2019 health. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBill Cassidy is a mindless avatar for his donors and a blind defender of the status quo system that is profiting from American sickness,\u201d Means said, adding that he will \u201close his re-election and immediately work for the pharmaceutical industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cassidy: Acting FDA chief Diamantas lacks needed medical device expertise<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2666,"featured_media":2602392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26128041120528.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[51812,79632,8468,37167,79633],"class_list":["post-2602391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bill-cassidy","tag-drug-approval","tag-fda","tag-healthcare-policy","tag-medical-devices"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26128041120528.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2666"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602391"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2602395,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602391\/revisions\/2602395"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2602392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}