Gail Slater Leaves DOJ Antitrust Post Amid Merger Disputes
Gail Slater announced on X Thursday she is leaving as assistant attorney general for antitrust amid disputes over major mergers including HPE's $14 billion Juniper deal and ongoing Live Nation and tech cases.
Overview
Gail Slater posted on X Thursday that she was leaving her role as assistant attorney general for antitrust, writing "It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today."
Her exit followed disputes over merger reviews, including the DOJ's initial suit to block HPE's $14 billion Juniper takeover that alleged the deal would give the firms 70% of the market and was later settled.
Attorney General Pam Bondi thanked Slater for her service, while former deputy Roger Alford said in an August speech that "Today cases are being resolved based on political connections, not the legal merits."
Slater was confirmed with 78 Senate votes in favor and 19 opposed, and the Antitrust Division is pursuing cases involving Live Nation, Visa, Google and Apple while reviewing Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery bids.
Sources said Slater was ousted and would be replaced by Omeed Assefi, who previously served as acting assistant attorney general before Slater's confirmation, and the DOJ will soon litigate its Live Nation Ticketmaster case.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the report neutrally, using factual, non-evaluative language and clear attribution. They balance direct quotes from Slater and officials with context—ongoing Warner Bros. bids, Trump's remarks, bipartisan confirmation and a deputy's exit—without loaded adjectives or omitted major viewpoints, focusing on chronology and sourced statements rather than editorializing.
Sources (7)
FAQ
Gail Slater was reportedly asked to resign by the White House, amid internal disputes over merger reviews including the HPE-Juniper deal and resistance from within the administration.
Sources indicate Omeed Assefi, who previously served as acting assistant attorney general before Slater's confirmation, will replace her.
The division is pursuing cases against Live Nation (Ticketmaster), Visa, Google, and Apple, while reviewing Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery bids.
Conflicts included Attorney General Pam Bondi overruling Slater on her chief of staff's contract, Deputy Mark Hamer's resignation, and disputes over merger approvals like HPE's $14 billion Juniper deal which was initially blocked but settled.
History
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