Gail Slater announced on February 12 that she is stepping down from her role leading the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, marking the end of a year-long tenure overseeing some of the most high-profile antitrust litigation in recent memory.
“It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as [assistant attorney general] for antitrust today,” Slater wrote in a social media post. “It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of @justiceatr.”
Slater’s resignation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Big Tech companies and a broader debate over the federal government’s approach to antitrust enforcement. During her time at the department, the Justice Department pursued a range of high-profile cases, including litigation aimed at curbing Google’s search business, which had been the subject of a landmark antitrust suit during former President Trump’s first term.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised Slater’s leadership in a statement provided to The Epoch Times. “On behalf of the Department of Justice, we thank Gail Slater for her service to the Antitrust Division which works to protect consumers, promote affordability, and expand economic opportunity,” Bondi said.
Slater’s approach to antitrust enforcement reflected a conservative vision emphasizing litigation over regulation. She frequently spoke about the importance of maintaining competitive markets through the courts rather than relying on regulatory agencies to impose new rules. In prepared remarks in April, she said, “Aggressive antitrust enforcement supports a competitive process that enables markets to regulate themselves, providing a bulwark against market power that often leads to regulatory intervention.”
Her philosophy was consistent with the broader goals of the Trump administration, which positioned her appointment as a continuation of efforts to restrain Big Tech. “Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech,” Trump wrote in a December 2024 TruthSocial post. “I was proud to fight these abuses in my First Term, and our Department of Justice’s antitrust team will continue that work under Gail’s leadership.”
Slater brought a wide range of experience to the DOJ. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the Federal Trade Commission, providing her with firsthand insight into regulatory and enforcement approaches to competition law. She also served as an economic adviser to then-Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), and held roles in the private sector, including positions at Fox and Roku. These experiences helped her navigate the complex landscape of technology, consumer protection, and corporate litigation.
During her tenure, Slater oversaw antitrust litigation that touched some of the most powerful companies in the tech sector. Her team addressed concerns about monopolistic behavior, competitive barriers, and consumer harm, all while balancing the administration’s conservative emphasis on limiting federal overreach. Analysts note that her insistence on pursuing litigation over prescriptive regulatory measures reflected both her legal philosophy and her broader policy approach, prioritizing market-based solutions over government intervention.
Although Slater’s resignation was voluntary, it comes at a critical moment for the Antitrust Division. Lawmakers and industry observers are closely watching ongoing cases against major technology firms, as well as potential new investigations into how online platforms wield market power. Her departure raises questions about who will carry forward her vision and whether the next appointee will maintain the same emphasis on litigation as the primary tool for enforcement.
The Trump administration has consistently highlighted antitrust enforcement against tech companies as a central priority. Former President Trump and allies frequently criticized what they described as unchecked corporate power, arguing that market dominance by a few major firms threatened both innovation and consumer choice. Slater’s work was widely seen as aligned with that philosophy, and her leadership was central to maintaining the department’s aggressive posture in ongoing litigation and investigations.
Colleagues and observers have praised Slater’s professionalism and dedication. During her year-long tenure, she oversaw a team of attorneys handling complex cases that required both economic and legal expertise. By coordinating with the Federal Trade Commission, private sector experts, and Congressional committees, Slater helped ensure that the Antitrust Division’s actions were thorough and legally grounded.
Looking ahead, the Antitrust Division will continue pursuing existing cases, including the landmark litigation against Google, which seeks to prevent the company from leveraging its search platform in ways that may unfairly disadvantage competitors. Other potential cases against social media platforms and technology giants remain on the horizon, with some industry analysts predicting a new wave of antitrust scrutiny that could reshape the competitive landscape.
Slater’s resignation also brings renewed attention to the balance between political priorities and legal enforcement. During her tenure, she managed the intersection of partisan expectations, public scrutiny, and the nuanced application of antitrust law—a task that required both technical expertise and political acumen. Her departure underscores the challenges of leading a division that sits at the center of some of the most contentious debates over the role of government in regulating large corporations.
As the DOJ searches for a successor, Slater’s influence on the division’s strategic approach is likely to persist. Her emphasis on litigation as a tool for maintaining competition, along with her cautious stance on regulatory intervention, has shaped the division’s priorities and reinforced a philosophy that champions judicial remedies over prescriptive rules. Whether the next leader will follow a similar course or pursue a more interventionist approach remains to be seen.
In her social media farewell, Slater reflected on the personal and professional significance of her role. “It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role,” she wrote. “Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of @justiceatr.” Her words signal both gratitude and recognition of the challenges faced by the division in a politically and economically charged environment.
Gail Slater’s resignation marks the end of an era for the DOJ’s Antitrust Division under the current administration. Her tenure combined conservative principles with active enforcement, shaping the landscape of competition law at a time when technology companies face unprecedented scrutiny. As the department transitions to new leadership, her legacy as a skilled litigator and policy strategist will likely continue to influence the division’s approach to antitrust enforcement in the months and years ahead.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
