Donald Trump has selected Gail Slater, a prominent critic of large technology companies, to head the Department of Justice's antitrust division. This appointment, following the Senate's bipartisan confirmation, places Slater in a key position to oversee ongoing antitrust cases against tech giants, including the significant lawsuit against Google regarding its search monopoly. Slater previously worked in the Trump administration's National Economic Council and as an economic policy advisor for Vice President JD Vance.
Slater will inherit cases initiated under both the Trump and Biden administrations, most notably the U.S. v. Google case, where Google was found to be an unlawful monopolist. A hearing in the coming month will determine the remedies for this case, potentially including a breakup of the company. During her confirmation hearing, Slater indicated that resource considerations would play a role in pursuing future antitrust cases, though she affirmed her commitment to legitimate law enforcement purposes when questioned about politically motivated litigation.
With extensive experience in antitrust law, including a decade at the Federal Trade Commission and private sector work, Slater is expected to maintain a close watch on Big Tech and related competition concerns. President Trump's announcement of her nomination emphasized that "Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition," and that Slater would ensure laws are enforced "vigorously and FAIRLY." She has also expressed concern over how market power in concentrated platform industries can suppress viewpoints, suggesting a focus on platform moderation issues. Companies may see a greater openness to settlements involving structural remedies in merger cases under her leadership.
