Abigail Slater Removed as Justice Department's Antitrust Chief: A Look at Her Departure
The Trump administration has made the decision to remove Abigail Slater, the Justice Department's anti-trust chief, from her position. Sources revealed that discussions about her departure took place shortly before Slater announced her resignation on social media. Slater did not provide a specific reason for leaving her role as assistant attorney general for anti-trust, but sources indicated that she had lost the trust of Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
In her capacity as anti-trust chief, Slater was responsible for evaluating business merger deals to determine their approval or rejection, a role closely monitored by the business community. Trump administration officials believed that Slater had compromised ongoing cases due to disagreements with leadership and had disregarded directives, such as refraining from costly travel to Europe. Slater's unauthorized trip to a conference in Paris without Bondi's approval reportedly led to the suspension of her government credit cards.
Bondi expressed gratitude for Slater's service to the Antitrust Division in a statement to CBS News, emphasizing the division's commitment to consumer protection, affordability, and economic growth. Slater's departure after less than a year in the position signals the end of a tumultuous tenure marked by tensions between her office and senior department officials.
In her farewell message on social media, Slater expressed sadness and gratitude for the opportunity to serve as AAG for Antitrust. She thanked her supporters and colleagues at the Department of Justice for their assistance during her tenure. The situation is evolving, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.