{"id":2569368,"date":"2026-02-12T14:08:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-antitrust-official-gail-slater-resigns-less-than-a-year-after-trump-appointment\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T14:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:11:20","slug":"top-antitrust-official-gail-slater-resigns-less-than-a-year-after-trump-appointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-antitrust-official-gail-slater-resigns-less-than-a-year-after-trump-appointment\/","title":{"rendered":"Top antitrust official Gail Slater resigns less than a year after Trump appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftop-antitrust-official-gail-slater-resigns-less-than-a-year-after-trump-appointment%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2569368&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Gail Slater, the Justice Department\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-denies-u-s-bid-to-stop-unitedhealth-plan-to-buy-change\/\" title=\"Judge denies U.S. bid to stop UnitedHealth plan to buy Change\">top <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/big-tech-critic-confirmed-as-doj-antitrust-czar\/\" title=\"Big Tech Critic Confirmed As ... Antitrust Czar\">antitrust official<\/a><\/a>, announced Thursday that she is resigning less than a year after being appointed by President Trump, though she did not specify a reason for her departure. Her tenure was marked by internal tensions, including the firing of two senior deputies after a dispute over a settlement that cleared Hewlett Packard Enterprise\u2019s acquisition of Juniper Networks, and clashes with Attorney General Pam Bondi over authority and merger decisions. Slater had pushed to involve the White House in revisiting tech-merger decisions, a stance that contributed to the disagreements within the division; she also briefly posted about Chief of Staff Sara Matar\u2019s contract status before deleting the post.Omeed Assefi, who previously served as interim AAG, is set to return to that role. The DOJ is currently scrutinizing Netflix\u2019s proposed $80 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery,launching an antitrust investigation into whether the deal could harm competition,a development that unfolds as the department experiences leadership turnover.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Top DOJ antitrust official resigns less than a year after being appointed by Trump<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2503408\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department&rsquo;s<\/a> top antitrust official, Gail Slater, announced Thursday that she is resigning from her post, less than a year after she was appointed by President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Slater, who has served as <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >assistant attorney general<\/a> for the DOJ&rsquo;s Antitrust Division since March, said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/gailaslater\/status\/2021979193949716727?s=20\">in a post on X<\/a> that she would be leaving her post, but she did not specify a reason for her departure.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4455921\/doj-fires-judge-appointed-acting-attorney-new-york\/\">DOJ fires judge-appointed acting US attorney in New York<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4456117\/boasberg-orders-trump-return-venezuelan-men-deported-under-alien-enemies-act\/\">James Boasberg orders Trump to return over 100 Venezuelans deported under Alien Enemies Act<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4454940\/seven-takeaways-from-bondis-fiery-house-testimony\/\">Seven takeaways from Bondi&rsquo;s fiery House testimony<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today,&rdquo; Slater said. &ldquo;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 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JusticeATR\">@justiceatr<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Slater was presented with the option to resign rather than be fired later this week, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/12\/us-antitrust-gail-slater-ousted-trump-administration\">the<em> Guardian<\/em> reported<\/a>. Omeed Assefi, who temporarily held Slater&rsquo;s role prior to her appointment, is set to once again serve as interim assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division.<\/p>\n<p>Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/JD-Vance\/\">JD Vance<\/a>, who was once in Slater&rsquo;s corner and had her as his senior adviser, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/12\/us-antitrust-gail-slater-ousted-trump-administration\">reportedly<\/a> grew weary when Slater started telling her colleagues she had his backing.<\/p>\n<p>Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Pam-Bondi\/\">Pam Bondi<\/a> and Slater had frequent disagreements, with Bondi saying the antitrust official often deflected orders and jumped ranks.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to Slater&rsquo;s departure, she <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KaelanDC\/status\/2019877352214569046\/photo\/1\">had posted on X that<\/a> &ldquo;Chief of Staff Sara Matar&rsquo;s detail has concluded&rdquo; but deleted the departure announcement shortly after posting. Bondi claimed that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.semafor.com\/article\/02\/06\/2026\/doj-antitrust-chief-gail-slater-and-attorney-general-pam-bondi-clashed-over-firing-of-aide\">Slater did not have authority<\/a> over Matar&rsquo;s contract, and it was then renewed.<\/p>\n<p>Slater&rsquo;s No. 2 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/KaelanDC\/status\/2020986092640776320?s=20\">announced last week<\/a> that he would be leaving his post and returning to public service.<\/p>\n<p>Slater&rsquo;s tenure was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thefp.com\/p\/feuding-factions-and-lobbyists-drive-trump-antitrust-policy\">marked by internal tensions<\/a>, including last summer&rsquo;s firing of two senior deputies following a dispute over a controversial settlement that cleared Hewlett Packard Enterprise&rsquo;s acquisition of Juniper Networks.<\/p>\n<p>After the settlement, Slater&rsquo;s disagreements with Bondi became clear. Bondi was convinced the merger was in the interests of national security by intelligence officials, but Slater disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>Slater attempted to get the White House to overturn Bondi and revisit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/amy-coney-barrett-acts-clueless-about-hunter-bidens-laptop\/\" title=\"Amy Coney Barrett Acts Clueless About Hunter Biden&#039;s Laptop\">tech giants&#038;rsquo<\/a>; merger.<\/p>\n<p>Following Slater&rsquo;s request, two of her deputies who opposed the merger decision were forced out.<\/p>\n<p>Slater&rsquo;s resignation comes as the department is engaged in one of the most consequential merger reviews in recent years &mdash; the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/netflix\/\">Netflix<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ has launched an antitrust investigation into whether Netflix&rsquo;s roughly $80 billion proposal and broader business practices could stifle competition in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/restoring-america\/4450890\/democrats-republicans-right-unite-against-netflix-merger\/\"><strong>DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE RIGHT TO UNITE AGAINST THE NETFLIX MERGER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As part of the review, prosecutors are examining whether the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netflix-immediately-paid-a-price-after-chairman-endorsed-kamala-harris\/\" title=\"... Immediately Paid a Price After Chairman Endorsed Kamala Harris\">streaming giant&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s combination with the major Hollywood studio could give it undue market power or otherwise harm consumers.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to the Justice Department for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ antitrust chief resigns after under-a-year tenure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2569369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/slater-trump-antitrust.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[5509,5045,6522,69735],"class_list":["post-2569368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-antitrust","tag-government","tag-resignation","tag-trump-administration-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/slater-trump-antitrust.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569368"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2569372,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569368\/revisions\/2569372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}