Top Trump Antitrust Official Leaves Post After Merger Disputes

Gail Slater departs Justice Department role amid tensions over approving big corporate deals.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Gail Slater, the Justice Department's assistant attorney general for antitrust under the Trump administration, is leaving her post after just one year. Her departure comes amid tensions over her decisions to greenlight several high-profile mergers, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise's $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 corporate mergers and acquisitions has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that her decisions allowed for increased market consolidation and reduced competition. Her departure raises questions about the future direction of antitrust enforcement under the Biden administration.

The details

Slater posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she was leaving her position with 'great sadness.' Her tenure was marked by disputes over her handling of merger reviews, including the Hewlett Packard Enterprise-Juniper Networks deal. The Justice Department initially sued to block that $14 billion merger, arguing it would give the combined company too much market dominance. However, the lawsuit was soon settled, and the merger was allowed to proceed. Slater's role also came under scrutiny when President Trump announced he would personally examine Netflix's proposed $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, though he later backed away from directly intervening in the process.

  • Slater announced her departure from the Justice Department on February 13, 2026.
  • Slater had served as the assistant attorney general for antitrust for just one year, starting in early 2025.

The players

Gail Slater

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

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

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

Juniper Networks

A networking equipment company that was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a $14 billion deal that faced antitrust scrutiny.

President Donald Trump

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

Netflix

A streaming media company that proposed a $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, drawing attention from the former president.

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What they’re saying

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

— Gail Slater (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The Biden administration will likely appoint a new assistant attorney general for antitrust who may take a different approach to merger reviews and antitrust enforcement.

The takeaway

Slater's departure highlights the ongoing tensions and debates around antitrust policy, particularly the balance between allowing corporate consolidation and preserving competition. Her successor will play a key role in shaping the future of antitrust enforcement in the U.S.