Top Trump Antitrust Official Departs After Disputes Over Major Mergers

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

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Gail Slater, the top antitrust official in the Trump administration, is departing her role as the Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust after just a year in the position. Her exit comes amid tensions over her decisions to greenlight several high-profile mergers in recent months, including Hewlett Packard Enterprises' $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks.

Why it matters

Slater's departure highlights the ongoing debate over the government's role in regulating major corporate mergers and acquisitions. Her tenure was marked by controversial decisions to allow mergers that some argued would reduce competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.

The details

Slater initially tried to block the Hewlett Packard Enterprises-Juniper Networks merger, arguing it would give the combined company control over 70% of the telecommunications networking gear market. However, the Justice Department soon settled the lawsuit and allowed the merger to proceed. Slater's role in merger reviews also came under scrutiny when President Trump announced he would personally examine Netflix's proposed purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, though he later backed away from that plan.

  • Slater posted on X on Thursday that she was leaving her role with 'great sadness'.
  • Slater had been in the assistant attorney general for antitrust position for just one year.

The players

Gail Slater

The former assistant attorney general for antitrust at the Justice Department under the Trump administration.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who announced he would personally examine the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, though he later backed away from that plan.

Hewlett Packard Enterprises

A technology company that acquired rival Juniper Networks in a $14 billion deal that was initially opposed by the Justice Department under Slater's leadership.

Juniper Networks

A networking gear company that was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprises in a $14 billion deal that was initially opposed by the Justice Department under Slater's leadership.

Netflix

A streaming media company that proposed acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery, drawing scrutiny from President Trump.

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What they’re saying

“It is with great sadness that I am leaving my role.”

— Gail Slater, Former Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, Justice Department (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 departure highlights the ongoing tensions over the government's role in regulating major corporate mergers and acquisitions, with her tenure marked by controversial decisions to allow mergers that some argued would reduce competition and lead to higher prices for consumers.