Attorney General Pam Bondi may have absolutely embarrassed herself this week in a Congressional hearing about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. But she’s not the Justice Department official who was suddenly removed this week.
According to the Daily Beast, Gail Slater, the head of the DOJ’s antitrust division, was forced out of her position this week. Confirmed last March, Slater remained in the role for less than a year.
“It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today. It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role,” Slater wrote on X. “Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women.”
It is with great sadness and abiding hope that I leave my role as AAG for Antitrust today. It was indeed the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role. Huge thanks to all who supported me this past year, most especially the men and women of @justiceatr
— Gail Slater (@gailaslater) February 12, 2026
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So what happened?
According to a CBS News account, “Top Trump administration officials ousted Justice Department antitrust chief Abigail Slater and had discussions with her shortly before she announced on social media that she was leaving the department… she had lost the trust of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, with one source adding they felt the only way to move the president’s agenda forward was through new leadership.”
The CBS story added that “Trump officials believed Slater had undermined pending cases because of disagreements with leadership and had disobeyed requests, including to not embark on expensive travel to Europe and on other matters, two sources said.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) ripped the departure, per CBS.
“Americans’ top concern is affordability, but one of Trump’s few bipartisan-supported nominees — the top law enforcement official responsible for stopping illegal monopolies and protecting American consumers — was just ousted. Why? It looks like corruption. A small army of MAGA-aligned lawyers and lobbyists have been trying to sell off merger approvals that will increase prices and harm innovation to the highest bidder.”
MAGA lawyer Mike Davis had fought for Slater’s confirmation, but had proclaimed “good riddance” at her departure:
How it started vs. how it’s going — Feb. 12, 2025 vs. Feb 12, 2026. (Via @mrddmia) pic.twitter.com/7Q93LXiRRK
— Adam Wren (@adamwren) February 12, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
