The recent decision to remove Dr. Vinay Prasad from his senior roles at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was both necessary and encouraging for many in the pro-life community. An open supporter of abortion-on-demand, he stood in stark opposition to much of what we believe.
For many in the pro-life community—and among the thousands of pastors I work with across the country—his appointment represented a fundamental contradiction of the Trump Administration’s stated commitment to life. That’s why his swift removal by the White House is a meaningful step toward restoring a federal culture that values and protects life at every stage.
But let’s be clear: this is not a moment to let our guard down. Dr. Prasad may be gone from the FDA’s formal organizational chart, but his influence remains a very real concern. In public comments since his departure, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary described Prasad as a “genius” who made “tremendous” contributions and revealed that the agency plans to “continue to talk to him.” He also claimed that Prasad’s resignation was a personal decision—not the result of White House direction, despite reports indicating the opposite – and has even said he wants him back at the FDA.
Such statements contradict the public understanding of what occurred and risks reopening the very wound that was just beginning to heal. To now suggest that Prasad’s departure was voluntary and that his counsel is still welcome sends mixed signals—undermining the clarity of that decision and renewing doubts about whether pro-life concerns are being taken seriously within the agency.
There should be no ambiguity here: Vinay Prasad need to be removed because his views on life are fundamentally at odds with the values of this administration, and with the trust placed in it by millions of pro-life Americans.
This is the same Vinay Prasad who has referred to abortion as “healthcare,” and publicly aligned himself with politicians who champion taxpayer-funded abortion and the expansion of chemical abortion access through the mail. On his own podcast, he declared plainly that he stands on the side that sees abortion as healthcare. That is not a neutral position—it is a deeply ideological one that directly contradicts the principles upon which this administration was elected.
President Trump has earned the right to call himself the most pro-life president in American history. He is the first sitting president to attend the March for Life in person. He issued executive orders protecting conscience rights and religious liberty. He took bold steps to defund abortion providers overseas and gave pro-life groups a voice in the federal policymaking process. And most notably, his Supreme Court appointments paved the way for the end of Roe v. Wade.
The pastors and churches I work with have not forgotten these victories—and they are ready to stand with this administration again. But they also expect clarity, not confusion. They expect officials and agencies to reflect the culture of life this movement has long prayed for. And they will speak up when that mission is undermined.
Let’s be honest: if Prasad is allowed to quietly reenter FDA decision-making—formally or informally—that sends the wrong signal to everyone. It would suggest that abortion ideology still holds sway inside one of the most powerful health policy institutions in the world. It would raise serious questions about the agency’s direction on issues like chemical abortion, prenatal therapies, and conscience protections. And it would risk eroding the trust that President Trump has worked so hard to build with the pro-life and faith-based community.
The FDA’s credibility has been tested before. Over the years, it has too often bent to political pressure—especially on the issue of abortion. From its controversial use of an accelerated approval process for mifepristone to its steady erosion of safety standards under Democratic administrations, the agency’s drift away from its duty to protect the most vulnerable has been evident. A pro-life FDA must be more than symbolic. It must be principled and willing to resist the ideological capture that has plagued it for too long.
President Trump did the right thing in removing Dr. Prasad from power and we are grateful for his leadership. Now it’s time to finish the job. Make it clear—publicly and definitively—that Prasad will not be returning to the FDA, and that his role in shaping agency policy is over.
A life-affirming FDA is not just a political goal—it’s a moral imperative. The agency that regulates everything from prenatal therapies to abortion pills must be led by those who understand that life begins before birth and deserves protection from its earliest moments.
We are grateful for the leadership that made this correction possible. Now let’s be sure it sticks.
Chad Connelly is the Founder & CEO of Faith Wins, an organization dedicated to helping faith leaders leverage their influence and impact within the governmental and political arena
