Trump Appoints Antitrust Expert Gail Slater to Lead DOJ’s Antitrust Division
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named Gail Slater, a seasoned antitrust expert, to head the Department of Justice’s antitrust division. Slater will oversee major cases targeting corporate giants like Google, Apple, and Visa, signaling a continued crackdown on monopolistic practices in Big Tech and other industries.
Trump announced the appointment on his social media platform, emphasizing Slater’s mission to rein in powerful technology companies. “Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition and cracking down on the rights of Americans, as well as those of Little Tech!” Trump wrote.
A Veteran Antitrust Enforcer
Slater brings a robust antitrust background to the role. She began her career in London at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer before moving to Washington. At the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), she spent a decade tackling major cases, including Whole Foods’ controversial acquisition of Wild Oats.
She later served as an adviser to then-FTC Commissioner Julie Brill, who now holds an executive role at Microsoft. Slater also represented companies like Amazon and Google during her tenure at the now-defunct Internet Association, but she remains a vocal critic of monopolistic practices, earning her a reputation as an “antitrust hawk.”
Before this appointment, Slater worked for U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance, advising on economic policy. Vance praised her nomination and called for a broader approach to antitrust enforcement, building on the foundation laid by Biden’s antitrust officials, including Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan.
A Full Docket of High-Stakes Cases
Slater inherits a series of blockbuster antitrust lawsuits. Among these is the DOJ’s effort to dismantle Google’s dominance in online search, which includes a demand to sell its Chrome browser. Another DOJ case challenges Google’s advertising technology practices.
Apple faces allegations of monopolizing the U.S. smartphone market, while Visa is accused of dominating debit card payment processing. The DOJ also seeks to break up LiveNation and Ticketmaster over alleged anti-competitive practices harming eventgoers and artists.
In addition, Slater will oversee groundbreaking cases such as the DOJ’s first algorithmic price-fixing suit against RealPage and investigations into Nvidia’s role in the AI chip market.
Bipartisan Momentum in Antitrust Enforcement
Slater’s nomination highlights the bipartisan appeal of robust antitrust enforcement. Groups like the Tech Oversight Project, which supported Biden-era antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter, welcomed her appointment. “Gail Slater is a strong candidate to continue this important work,” said Sacha Haworth, the project’s executive director.
Garrett Ventry, a former Republican adviser, echoed the sentiment, noting that Slater’s appointment demonstrates Trump’s commitment to holding Big Tech accountable. “Antitrust enforcement is here to stay,” Ventry said.
Slater, who grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and began her career in international law, now faces the challenge of balancing vigorous enforcement with a commitment to fairness. “She will ensure our competition laws are enforced, both vigorously and FAIRLY,” Trump stated, promising clear rules that foster innovation.
The Supreme Court has set an April trial for the DOJ’s case against Google, leaving Slater with limited time to reassess proposals made under Kanter. As Slater steps into her new role, her leadership could shape the future of U.S. antitrust policy for years to come.
