Kyle Diamantas: Inside the Rise of the FDA's New Acting Commissioner

Who Is Kyle Diamantas, the FDA's New Acting Commissioner?

When Donald Trump called Kyle Diamantas a "very talented person," few outside Washington's regulatory circles had heard the name. Now, the 38-year-old former corporate attorney has stepped into one of the most consequential public health roles in the United States — acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

From Miami Law Firm to Federal Leadership

Diamantas arrived at the FDA in February 2025, leaving behind a partnership at Jones Day, a prominent Miami-based law firm. Before that, he held a senior associate position at Baker Donelson's Orlando office. His legal background spans more than a decade of advising clients across food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and broader consumer goods industries on regulatory and compliance matters.

He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Notably, he carries no formal medical or clinical credentials.

His Role Before the Promotion

Prior to his elevation as acting commissioner, Diamantas served as the FDA's deputy commissioner for food. In that capacity, he shaped national food safety and nutrition policies, directed strategic operations for the Human Foods Program (HFP), and acted as a key liaison connecting the FDA with the Department of Health and Human Services and the White House. He also represented the agency in food-related discussions with foreign governments and international bodies.

In February 2026, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointed him as senior counselor for the FDA — a role he held simultaneously alongside his deputy commissioner duties.

Why Was He Appointed Acting Commissioner?

Diamantas stepped into the acting commissioner role following the departure of his predecessor, Martin Makary, whom Trump moved to remove after reportedly expressing frustration over the FDA's refusal to approve fruit-flavored vaping products.

Kennedy confirmed on Tuesday that the position remains temporary, stating that "the search for a new FDA Commissioner is already underway, and we will move forward with urgency." In the same announcement, Kennedy praised Diamantas for what he described as "remarkable wins on the Maha food agenda."

A Relatively Uncontroversial Internal Choice

Within the FDA, Diamantas is widely regarded as a steady, low-profile presence. According to reporting by the Washington Post, two former agency officials noted that he managed to sidestep controversy largely by preserving senior leadership within the Human Foods Program — a contrast to other divisions that experienced significant staff turnover under the current administration.

The Abbott Laboratories Lawsuit

One chapter of Diamantas's legal career has drawn scrutiny. While at Jones Day, he defended Abbott Laboratories in a high-profile lawsuit alleging the company failed to adequately warn parents that its premature infant formula could increase the risk of a severe and potentially fatal gastrointestinal disease.

In 2024, Abbott lost the case and was ordered to pay $495 million in damages. A Missouri appellate court upheld that verdict in May 2026 following an appeal by the manufacturer. The New York Times was first to report Diamantas's involvement in the litigation.

Diamantas has acknowledged his role in the case, noting that following his 2025 FDA appointment, he observed a one-year recusal from all matters related to infant formula. He has since indicated plans to re-engage with the issue, emphasizing a commitment to strengthening formula safety standards — addressing both chemical additives and microbiological risks, the latter highlighted by a recent infant botulism outbreak.

Ties to the Trump Circle and Maha Movement

Beyond his professional résumé, Diamantas has a personal connection to the Trump family. A 2021 social media post from the founder of hunting club Osceola Outdoors featured a photo of Diamantas alongside Donald Trump Jr., captioning the image with a reference to the two men's close friendship.

He has also become a visible figure in the Make America Healthy Again (Maha) podcast ecosystem, having appeared alongside Paul Saladino — a health influencer known for promoting the carnivore diet — and Gary Brecka, a self-described biohacker and longevity specialist.

Key Policy Contributions

Among the most visible policy shifts under Diamantas's watch was an overhaul of the U.S. dietary guidelines. The update inverted the traditional food pyramid model, repositioning meats and vegetables at the broadest tier. Administration officials framed the revision as a tool to help prevent and slow the progression of chronic disease, aligning with the broader Maha health platform.

In a December 2025 interview with Politico, Diamantas pointed to the removal of petroleum-derived artificial dyes from food products as his most significant accomplishment during the first year of Trump's second term.

Filling a Vacancy Left by Jim Jones

Diamantas replaced Jim Jones, the former FDA deputy commissioner for food, who resigned in February 2025 in protest of the Trump administration's sweeping federal workforce reductions. His appointment has since positioned him as one of the administration's most prominent food policy voices — and now, its acting head of the FDA.