Inside the Trump Administration’s Antitrust Drama: Who’s Really Running the Show?
There’s been some serious behind-the-scenes friction within the Justice Department’s antitrust division, the very team responsible for keeping big corporations in check. And according to multiple insiders, private conversations in the Trump administration have been buzzing about whether it’s time to shake up the leadership or just smooth out the bumps in the road.
The Woman at the Center: Gail Slater
Gail Slater, who stepped into the spotlight back in March as the head of the Justice Department’s antitrust division, has been steering lawsuits against giants like Capital One, Apple, and Google. She entered the role with big backing — not only from some top officials in the administration but also surprisingly from watchdogs across the political spectrum. That’s not an easy feat given the polarized landscape of Washington.
However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Slater and some of her team have drawn criticism from colleagues inside the administration as well as from business leaders. Sources say some Trump officials have grumbled about the lengthy internal negotiations required to approve merger settlements, which isn’t exactly what they had in mind for a hardline antitrust approach.
What’s Causing the Friction?
The antitrust division is one of two major agencies tasked with protecting market competition. They enforce laws that regulate mergers and practices that might hurt consumers. But recently, disagreements over handling investigations into companies like T-Mobile and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) have come to a head.
Here’s the kicker: Slater hasn’t taken the “block every merger” stance that some within the Trump circle expected. Instead, she’s leaned more toward negotiated settlements that address the core concerns. But that’s ruffled feathers in the administration, with some officials feeling the process has been a tug-of-war.
To add fuel to the fire, questions are being raised inside the National Economic Council (NEC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and even the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about whether Slater is fully aligned with President Trump’s priorities or if she’s quietly steering her own agenda.
The White House Steps In
Word is, Slater was called to a high-level meeting at the White House last Thursday. This gathering wasn’t just a casual chat — it included top folks from the Office of Budget and Management, the National Economic Council, and the FTC. The main focus? Mergers policy.
That kind of cross-agency huddle signals the administration is serious about ironing out differences on how to handle corporate deals and possibly the future direction of antitrust enforcement.
The Controversy Around Lobbyists and Consultants
One of the more unusual points of tension involves Slater’s stance on how companies should communicate with the Justice Department. She reportedly instructed businesses not to use Trump-aligned lobbyists or consultants when dealing with the antitrust division.
In one notable example, during a meeting with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Juniper Networks — the company HPE was aiming to acquire — Slater told everyone to work directly with Justice Department officials. She specifically pointed out that outside consultants, including Trump allies Mike Davis and Arthur Schwartz, should not be involved in these discussions.
That didn’t sit well with some business leaders. Frustrated, they even reached out to White House officials, asking why they were being told who they could or couldn’t hire to represent them.
The Hewlett Packard / Juniper Case: A Microcosm of the Struggle
The Justice Department actually sued to block HPE’s acquisition of Juniper in January. The case settled by June, allowing the deal to move forward — but not without internal drama.
Sources say Attorney General Pam Bondi’s chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, had to override Slater’s objections to accept HPE’s offer. DOJ officials were confident the settlement was stronger than what they might have won at trial, yet this incident highlights the tug-of-war between different factions in the administration.
Defenders and Critics
Some officials within the Trump administration have come to Slater’s defense. They describe her as a principled leader who is rightly skeptical of well-connected Trump allies trying to sway sensitive legal outcomes. In their view, Slater’s independence is a strength in a highly political environment.
An interesting fact supporting her credibility: Slater was confirmed by the Senate with 78 votes — a landslide by Washington standards and more than almost any other Trump appointee except for Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That bipartisan approval speaks volumes about her qualifications.
A Partner at the FTC
Slater isn’t just holding it down at the Justice Department — she’s also building bridges. FTC Commissioner Mark Meador praised her as a “fantastic partner” who has worked collaboratively to fulfill their shared mission to protect competition.
This cooperation between the two agencies is notable given the usual turf wars that can arise in antitrust enforcement.
Slater vs. Biden Antitrust Approach: A Contrast
One of the more intriguing angles in this story is how Slater’s approach differs from the previous administration’s.
Under Biden, the antitrust team was known for dragging investigations out, using the maximum time allowed by law to dig into deals. Slater, on the other hand, has voluntarily closed dozens of investigations much quicker, signaling a more streamlined, perhaps business-friendly approach.
For instance, while Biden’s team planned to block the merger between Capital One and Discover, Slater gave it the green light. That move surprised some observers who expected more aggressive scrutiny from a Trump administration official.
What’s Next?
The mix of support and skepticism inside the administration means the antitrust division is at a crossroads. Will the Justice Department continue down Slater’s path of negotiated settlements and quicker case closures? Or will pressure from other parts of the Trump administration push for a more confrontational stance?
With key players from the White House, NEC, FTC, and OMB closely watching, the next few months could reshape how antitrust laws are enforced in America.
Key Takeaways:
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Gail Slater leads DOJ antitrust with mixed support inside the Trump admin.
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She favors settlements over blanket merger blocks, sparking internal debate.
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White House meeting included multiple agencies, signaling serious concerns.
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Slater discourages companies from using Trump-aligned lobbyists in investigations.
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HP Enterprise/Juniper case revealed deep internal power struggles.
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She has bipartisan Senate confirmation backing and support from FTC partners.
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Slater’s approach contrasts with Biden’s longer, tougher investigations.
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