Gail Slater Discusses the America First Antitrust Act at Drake University

Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater addressed the audience on Wednesday about how the America First Antitrust Act can empower farmers in their pursuit of the American Dream.

During her talk at the Drake University School of Law, titled “Agriculture, Antitrust, and the Chesterton Fence,” Slater highlighted the Trump administration’s approach to antitrust policy, which aims to uplift “America’s forgotten men and women.” Previously, she mentioned in September how such policies support the free flow of information in American democracy and the necessity for unbiased artificial intelligence.

According to her, many in Generation Z are feeling lost and anxious about their futures—like whether they’ll be able to marry, start families, or afford homes. However, she emphasized that the Trump administration is striving to change that, with antitrust laws being crucial for turning those dreams into reality.

Slater commented that strong antitrust enforcement is essential for safeguarding free enterprise from monopolistic practices that hinder competition, making it harder for consumers, workers, and small businesses to thrive. “In a way, antitrust agents act like the police of the free market,” she remarked.

She also mentioned that Americans largely support measures aimed at enhancing competition, noting that four out of five believe major tech companies stifle innovation.

Polls indicate that a significant portion of the public agrees on the necessity of antitrust enforcement, highlighting that 70% of voters think the government should do more to curb the power of large corporations. Additionally, around 66% believe that stronger enforcement could lead to lower consumer prices. Interestingly, these views seem to span across party lines.

Slater pointed out that today’s conservatives are not just concerned about government overreach; they’re also wary of the concentration of power in the hands of a select few. Some young individuals even refer to these concerns as “Tyranny.com” or “Tyranny.gov.”

She elaborated on the intersection of American agriculture and antitrust laws, explaining the Department of Justice’s role in helping farmers achieve their dreams.

The Antitrust Division’s responsibilities under the Sherman and Clayton Acts include overseeing issues related to conspiracy, monopolies, and mergers throughout the economy, including agriculture. Moreover, they collaborate with the USDA to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act, which prohibits unfair practices within the meatpacking industry.

Slater mentioned that during the Trump administration’s first term, investigations were conducted into merger activities within the seed sector.

In September, the USDA and the Department of Justice signed a memorandum aimed at protecting competition in vital agricultural markets like seeds, fertilizers, and other essential goods.

She shared that since 2020, seed costs have increased by 18%, fuel and oil by 32%, fertilizer by 37%, and interest expenses by 73%, according to USDA data. While the causes behind these hikes need thorough investigation, she noted that the alarming figures speak for themselves. “Antitrust enforcement ensures free market competition for agricultural inputs, lowering costs for farmers and prices for consumers,” she said.

On Wednesday, Slater announced the appointment of Zachary Trotter as the new career director of the Chicago office, who will collaborate with Ben Christenson, the deputy chief of civil enforcement, to advance the Trump administration’s antitrust initiatives.

“I have seen firsthand, through my father-in-law who is a rancher in Oregon, just how meaningful it is for farmers to pass their businesses down through generations. That’s the essence of the rancher’s American dream,” Slater concluded. She emphasized that for this vision to become a reality, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses need antitrust enforcement to ensure a level playing field.

She reiterated, “We at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division are here to support them wholeheartedly.”