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Donald Trump’s top antitrust enforcer Gail Slater is leaving the Department of Justice after clashes with allies of attorney-general Pam Bondi in a major shake-up at the DoJ.
“It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG [assistant attorney-general] for Antitrust today,” Slater said in a post on X on Thursday.
Her tweet came after the FT approached the White House and Department of Justice about her imminent departure. The DoJ denied that she was leaving.
Slater has led the DoJ’s antitrust unit since March. Omeed Assefi, another senior official in the antitrust division, is expected to become the acting director of the division, the people said.
The upheaval comes after Slater faced internal pressure from Bondi and allies over her handling of DoJ antitrust investigations.
Slater, a Senate-confirmed appointee who entered office pledging robust enforcement against corporate consolidation, has been frustrated with persistent political interference from Bondi and those linked to her, the people said.
Slater’s closest political ally was vice-president JD Vance, who has expressed sympathy for tougher scrutiny of corporate power. But he has not publicly intervened on her behalf.
This is a developing story
The Department of Justice is experiencing a significant shake-up as Gail Slater, Donald Trump’s top antitrust enforcer, announces her departure. Slater, who has been leading the antitrust unit at the DoJ since March, revealed her decision in a post on X, expressing both sadness and hope. The FT reached out to the White House and DoJ for confirmation, but the DoJ denied Slater’s departure.
Sources indicate that internal conflicts with allies of attorney-general Pam Bondi have led to Slater’s exit. Bondi and her associates have reportedly exerted pressure on Slater regarding her handling of antitrust investigations. Despite being a Senate-confirmed appointee committed to enforcing antitrust laws against corporate consolidation, Slater has faced obstacles due to political interference.
In response to Slater’s departure, Omeed Assefi, another senior official in the antitrust division, is expected to step in as the acting director. Slater’s departure marks a significant change within the DoJ’s antitrust division, raising questions about the future direction of antitrust enforcement under the current administration.
It is worth noting that Slater’s political ally, vice-president JD Vance, has not publicly intervened on her behalf, despite his support for increased scrutiny of corporate power. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains a developing story with potential implications for the landscape of antitrust regulation in the United States.
