WASHINGTON, United States (AFP)—United States (US) President Donald Trump on Tuesday said US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Marty Makary was leaving his post, a resignation that follows weeks of political tumult at the powerful agency.

During his tenure atop the sprawling body responsible for overseeing vaccines, medicine and food, Makary managed to upset figures across industry, politics and public health over a range of issues, and most recently faced pressure from the Republican president to sign off on fruit-flavoured vapes.

“Marty is a terrific guy, but he’s going to go on, and he’s going to lead a good life,” Trump told reporters when asked if he had fired the FDA commissioner, a move rumoured to be imminent for weeks.