DOJ's New Era of Antitrust Under Trump

Slater's abrupt departure raises questions about the administration's approach to anti-monopoly cases and mergers.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The abrupt departure of Gail Slater, the Justice Department's top antitrust enforcer, is raising questions about the Trump administration's approach to anti-monopoly cases and controversial mergers. Slater's nomination last year had initially signaled a continuation of aggressive antitrust enforcement, particularly against major tech firms. However, her unexpected exit came amid tensions with top DOJ officials and a backdrop of increased consolidation of major American businesses.

Why it matters

Slater's resignation marks a potential shift in the Trump administration's stance on antitrust enforcement, which had previously taken an aggressive stance against big tech companies. This change in leadership could impact the DOJ's handling of high-profile mergers and antitrust cases going forward.

The details

Slater was confirmed as assistant attorney general for the antitrust division last spring, but her tenure was repeatedly plagued by tensions with top Trump officials. An early point of contention was a $14 billion merger between Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Juniper Networks, where Slater was reportedly overruled in the DOJ's decision to settle the case after initially suing to block the acquisition. The departure of two top antitrust officials amid this dispute also raised concerns about political influence over antitrust decision-making.

  • Slater announced her plans to resign earlier this month after less than a year leading the DOJ's antitrust division.
  • In July, two top antitrust officials were fired amid an internal dispute over the handling of the HPE-Juniper merger.

The players

Gail Slater

The former assistant attorney general for the DOJ's antitrust division, whose abrupt departure is raising questions about the Trump administration's approach to antitrust enforcement.

Roger Alford

One of the ex-antitrust officials who was fired, and later slammed senior DOJ leadership for allegedly allowing politically connected lobbyists to influence decision-making.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

A technology company involved in a $14 billion merger with Juniper Networks that was a point of contention between Slater and top DOJ officials.

Juniper Networks

A technology company involved in a $14 billion merger with Hewlett Packard Enterprise that was a point of contention between Slater and top DOJ officials.

Donald Trump

The former president, whose administration's approach to antitrust enforcement is now in question following Slater's departure.

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What they’re saying

“It feels like the support for populist antitrust enforcement is kind of gone from the Trump administration. Slater was kind of seen as the leader of that philosophy and clearly that's been pushed aside.”

— Owen Tedford, Senior Research Analyst (Beacon Policy Advisers)

“It felt like it was just reaching a boiling point where either Slater was going to have to perhaps relent on some of her personal political philosophies or go this route of deciding to leave the administration instead.”

— Owen Tedford, Senior Research Analyst (Beacon Policy Advisers)

What’s next

The DOJ will need to appoint a new assistant attorney general for the antitrust division, which will signal the administration's future direction on antitrust enforcement.

The takeaway

Slater's departure marks a potential shift in the Trump administration's approach to antitrust, raising concerns about the future of aggressive enforcement against major tech firms and other corporate giants.