Slater Out, MAGA Lobbyist Accelerates DOJ Antitrust Shift (DOJ:02/13/2026)

DOJ Antitrust Chief Abigail Slater resigned shortly after being informed of her removal by the White House on February 13, 2026. Her ouster followed months of tension with business-friendly factions and leveraging influence from MAGA-aligned lobbyists, including Mike Davis, who has been securing settlements and appealing directly to senior DOJ officials. Slater, a former FTC chair with a Biden-era enforcement style, faced pushback from Davis and others who sought faster approvals and fewer probes. The HPE-Juniper case highlighted the growing role of political connections in antitrust decisions, with Davis later credited with促成 a settlement before a jury trial was set. DOJ merger activity slowed in 2025 to 16 major probes, the lowest in 15 years, down from 27 in the first year of Trump’s first term. With Woodward advocating for expedited settlements, the agency’s independence is increasingly questioned as lobbyists and administration allies shape outcomes. Companies such as HPE, Compass, and Live Nation have hired Davis to navigate reviews, citing his ability to move above Slater and access higher-ranking DOJ and White House officials. The shift reflects a broader realignment in Trump’s second term toward business interests in antitrust enforcement.