President Donald Trump’s choice to run the Food and Drug Administration was closely involved in advancing a White House policy, supported by Joe Rogan, that broadened momentum behind research into psychedelic medicines.
Trump said Wednesday that Dr. Heidi Overton, a physician and senior White House official, is his nominee to lead the FDA. Her appointment must still be approved by the Senate.
Overton, who serves as deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, helped move forward an executive order Trump signed to accelerate studies of psychedelic substances such as LSD and ibogaine, the Wall Street Journal previously reported.
According to the outlet, Rogan brought the issue to Trump’s attention by sending him statistics suggesting ibogaine could help curb opioid addiction.
The influential podcast host later said Trump replied by text: “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.”
The executive order instructed the FDA to speed up its review of psychedelic drugs that have been designated as “breakthrough therapy” treatments.
Overton has emerged as a trusted voice inside the administration and a strong advocate for Trump’s second-term policy agenda.
In a Truth Social post, Trump referred to her as “Dr. Heidi” and described her as a smart, widely respected “rockstar” who would help advance his priorities on faster cures, medical innovation and lower prescription drug costs.
Dr Heidi Overton, a top White House aide, was announced by President Donald Trump as his pick to to lead the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday
Overton was reportedly responsible for helping expedite a Joe Rogan-backed executive order concerning research into psychedelic drugs like LSD and ibogaine. (Trump pictured with Rogan before signing the executive order that Overton reportedly helped expedite)
Trump referred to his pick to lead the FDA as ‘Dr. Heidi’ on Truth Social and called her a ‘rockstar’
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Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr posted on X that Overton has ‘exceptional judgment, professionalism, discipline and an unwavering commitment to the American people.’
Overton attended medical school at the University of New Mexico and has a doctoral degree in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University, according to her LinkedIn profile.
She was the chief policy officer at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, before joining the second Trump administration.
She has appeared with Trump in recent months to announce major projects, including some of his ‘most favored nation’ deals with drug companies to lower prices to those of other developed countries.
Overton was also with the President for his recent vaccine order that sought to split the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three separate immunizations.
Trump’s pick for FDA boss has criticized abortion pills. She could roll back rules that make those more accessible if she is confirmed.
In order for that to happen, Overton must get approval from a narrowly Republican–led Senate.
Overton, the deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, has a doctoral degree in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, the chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has criticized Trump’s actions concerning vaccinations, including the MMR order.
Cassidy, who is also a physician, posted Wednesday that he respected Overton’s medical background but had ‘strong concerns’ about the nomination.
He noted her lack of managerial experience and her participation in the recent vaccine order, which he called ‘almost disqualifying.’
Overton’s nomination was met with pushback across the aisle.
‘Heidi Overton is a far–right, anti–abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA,’ Washington Sen. Patty Murray said.
