Gail Slater, the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, announced her resignation on February 12, 2026. This decision marks the conclusion of a challenging year in which Slater’s standing within the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined significantly, particularly with Attorney General Pam Bondi. Although Slater did not provide a reason for her departure, several sources have pointed to a series of missteps that contributed to her exit.
Initially celebrated as a key player in the “MAGA antitrust” movement, Slater’s reputation deteriorated following a series of events that raised concerns among her colleagues. According to reports, her relationship with Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche began to sour shortly after her confirmation in March 2025.
One significant incident was Slater’s unauthorized trip to Paris for a conference, which she undertook despite being explicitly advised against it. This trip resulted in Bondi cutting off Slater’s access to department credit cards, highlighting the growing friction within the DOJ.
Sources familiar with the situation have identified three major factors that led to Slater’s resignation. The first involved her handling of a controversial merger between Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Juniper Networks. Slater allegedly misled Bondi regarding consultations with the intelligence community about potential concerns surrounding the merger. As a result, two of Slater’s top deputies were dismissed during the fallout from this case, which was primarily negotiated through Bondi’s office.
The second factor contributing to Slater’s ousting was her suspected involvement in leaking information to the press, particularly to the media outlet Semafor. This outlet reported on internal divisions within the antitrust team, further straining Slater’s relationship with her superiors. An administration official noted that suspicions about these leaks were pivotal in the decision to remove her from her position.
Lastly, Slater’s influence within the DOJ had waned to the extent that many believed she was undermining critical cases. An administration official expressed concern about the lack of progress within the antitrust division, stating, “This is a bureaucratic agency of 115,000 people, and over 10,000 of which are lawyers. When we say to our people the President has an agenda, we need to trust that it is going to be executed, and that has not been happening this past year.”
Despite her challenges, Slater expressed gratitude for her time in office, stating, “It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year.”
Under her leadership, the antitrust division faced criticism for favoring companies that engaged in lobbying efforts with other Trump administration officials. As her tenure drew to a close, it became increasingly clear that the administration sought a shift in direction to achieve its antitrust objectives.
The fallout from Slater’s resignation raises questions about the future of the antitrust division and its ability to navigate complex cases in a politically charged environment. With a pressing need for effective leadership, the DOJ now faces the challenge of restoring confidence within its ranks while pursuing its mandate under the current administration.
