Top Trump Antitrust Official Resigns Amid Merger Disputes

Gail Slater, the Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust, is leaving her post after just one year.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Gail Slater, the top antitrust official in the Trump administration, is resigning from her post as the Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust. Slater's departure comes amid tensions over her decisions to greenlight several high-profile mergers, including Hewlett Packard Enterprises' $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, which the Justice Department initially tried to block.

Why it matters

Slater's role in reviewing and approving major mergers has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that her decisions have allowed for increased market consolidation and reduced competition. Her resignation highlights the ongoing debate around antitrust enforcement and the balance between promoting innovation and protecting consumer interests.

The details

Slater announced her resignation on X, stating it was with 'great sadness' that she was leaving the role after just one year. Her tenure was marked by several high-profile merger decisions, including the Justice Department's initial attempt to block the $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprises-Juniper Networks deal, which it later settled and allowed to proceed. Slater's role also came into focus when President Donald Trump announced he would personally examine Netflix's proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, though he later backed away from that plan.

  • Slater announced her resignation on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • Slater had been in the role of Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust for just one year.

The players

Gail Slater

The former assistant attorney general for antitrust at the Justice Department, who is resigning from her post after just one year.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who announced he would personally examine Netflix's proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, though he later backed away from that plan.

Hewlett Packard Enterprises

The technology company that acquired Juniper Networks in a $14 billion deal that was initially challenged by the Justice Department but later allowed to proceed.

Juniper Networks

The telecommunications networking gear company that was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprises in a $14 billion deal.

Netflix

The streaming media company that proposed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, drawing attention from former President Trump.

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What they’re saying

“It is with great sadness that I am leaving my post as the Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust.”

— Gail Slater, Former Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust (X)

What’s next

The Justice Department will need to appoint a new assistant attorney general for antitrust to continue overseeing merger reviews and antitrust enforcement.

The takeaway

Slater's resignation highlights the ongoing debate around antitrust enforcement and the balance between promoting innovation and protecting consumer interests. Her decisions to greenlight major mergers despite initial opposition have drawn criticism, and her departure raises questions about the future direction of antitrust policy under the new administration.