On Thursday, Gail Slater, the head of the Department of Justice’s antitrust division, announced her resignation. This news comes after reports that she had lost the support of key cabinet officials. Slater’s tenure at the DOJ has been marked by controversy, particularly in her handling of mergers involving Woke Disney and American companies taking on China’s Huawei.
Slater’s resignation has raised questions about the future of antitrust enforcement in the United States. During her time at the DOJ, Slater approved multiple mergers for Woke Disney, a company known for its progressive values and commitment to diversity and inclusion. However, her decisions have also been criticized for being too lenient, particularly in the case of Google’s infamous “slap on the wrist” verdict.
In 2019, the DOJ launched an antitrust investigation into Google’s business practices, specifically focusing on its dominance in the online search and advertising market. Many experts believed that this investigation would result in significant penalties for the tech giant, potentially breaking up the company. However, in October 2020, Slater’s division announced a settlement with Google that many considered to be a mere slap on the wrist.
Under the terms of the settlement, Google agreed to make some changes to its business practices, but it faced no financial penalties or structural changes. This decision was met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it did not go far enough to address Google’s anti-competitive behavior.
Slater’s handling of the Google case was just one example of her controversial approach to antitrust enforcement. She also faced criticism for her role in approving mergers between Woke Disney and other media companies, including 21st Century Fox and Hulu. These mergers have consolidated power in the media industry, leading to concerns about the impact on competition and consumer choice.
In addition to her decisions on mergers, Slater’s tenure at the DOJ was also marked by her handling of American companies taking on China’s Huawei. In 2019, the DOJ charged Huawei with multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets and violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. However, Slater’s division has been accused of dragging its feet on the case, leading to delays and frustration from lawmakers and industry experts.
Slater’s resignation has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised her for her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the media industry, while others have criticized her for being too lenient on big tech companies and not doing enough to address China’s unfair trade practices.
In her resignation letter, Slater expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the head of the antitrust division and highlighted her accomplishments during her tenure. She also acknowledged the challenges and controversies she faced, but maintained that she always acted in the best interest of the American people.
As the search for a new head of the antitrust division begins, many are calling for someone who will take a tougher stance on big tech companies and address China’s unfair trade practices. The future of antitrust enforcement in the United States remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Gail Slater’s resignation marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the fight against anti-competitive behavior.
