Public Health — News & Analysis

Trump tasks son’s hunting pal with keeping the US food supply safe (February 25, 2025)

February 25, 2025 — Kyle Diamantas, a 37-year-old attorney from Florida and turkey hunting buddy of Donald Trump Jr. has been appointed as the acting deputy commissioner for human foods at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In this capacity, he is responsible for overseeing approximately 80% of the United States' food supply, managing all FDA activities related to nutrition and food safety. His authority extends over the entire Human Foods Program, which includes resource allocation, risk prioritization strategies, policy initiatives, and major response activities. Furthermore, Diamantas oversees food resources within the agency’s office of inspections and investigations, a position that does not require Senate confirmation.

Diamantas’s professional background includes over a decade of experience advising food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical clients on regulatory, compliance, and enforcement matters. Before joining the FDA, he was a partner at the Jones Day law firm in Miami and has authored several articles on food regulatory topics. His educational background includes a juris doctorate from the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law and a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida.

This leadership transition occurs as the FDA investigates a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes, which has been associated with 12 deaths. Diamantas assumes these responsibilities following the resignation of Jim Jones, the former head of the food division, who departed after the administration conducted indiscriminate layoffs of 89 staffers within that division. He has previously been involved in initiatives such as a post-market safety assessment group established to review chemicals in food.

May 12, 2026 update: Diamantas has been appointed acting head of the FDA.

Full article 🔗

www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/makary-fda-resign-white-house-00916014