How Kyle Diamantas defied expectations as he rose to lead the FDA Unlike many leaders at Marty Makary’s FDA, new acting commissioner earned trust of career staff

https://www.statnews.com/2026/05/26/kyle-diamantas-acting-fda-commissioner-wins-trust-exceeds-expectations/?utm_campaign=the_readout&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9UONnCkcAe00w4vX8ZujHHfhjcWEmT1HoVsFNs1Z-pu2sLIodO8brwKxMr1vuC8QTOMSwg2Ee2_xH5AoDndMRTVBqBQw&_hsmi=420539245&utm_content=420539245&utm_source=hs_email By Lizzy LawrenceMay 26, 2026 FDA Reporter The unexpected rise of Acting FDA chief Diamantas When the Trump administration last year appointed Florida attorney Kyle Diamantas as the FDA’s top food official, the broader public health world expected a politically connected industry lawyer with little scientific credibility. Instead, food industry groups, consumer advocates, and FDA staffers are describing him as unusually competent, prepared, and willing to listen, STAT’s Lizzy Lawrence writes. He has presented a sharp contrast with some other recent FDA leaders who alienated career staff by steamrolling scientific expertise. “Kyle is someone who listens to everyone,” said Scott Faber, senior vice president of the Environmental Working Group. “He’s earned the respect of career staff and the FDA stakeholder community. He’s a natural leader, but he isn’t going to rush to the cameras.” Diamantas, a former Jones Day attorney who represented food and tobacco clients and apparently hunts wild turkeys with Donald Trump Jr., has built credibility by doing something shockingly rare in Washington: reading briefing materials before meetings and treating stakeholders seriously.