Firings have rocked the Justice Department’s antitrust division, signaling a no-nonsense approach to internal dissent. On July 28, Roger Alford and Bill Rinner, two heavyweight officials, were shown the door, as CBS News reports. The reason? Insubordination, though the details remain murky.
The dismissals of Alford, principal deputy assistant attorney general, and Rinner, deputy assistant attorney general overseeing merger enforcement, sent shockwaves through the department. Both served during Trump’s first term, giving them deep roots in the division. Their ousting points to a broader clash within the team tasked with tackling corporate monopolies.
Tensions had been simmering in the antitrust division for weeks. Private talks within the Trump administration earlier in July debated whether to push staffers out or smooth over disputes. Clearly, the axe fell hard on Alford and Rinner, who were placed on administrative leave just days before their termination.
Gail Slater, who took the helm of the antitrust division in March, now faces scrutiny. She leads high-stakes lawsuits against giants like Capital One, Apple, and Google. Yet, her aggressive approach has drawn flak from colleagues and business leaders alike.
Slater’s supporters in the Trump administration praise her as a fearless enforcer. But critics argue her leadership fuels division, not unity. The firings suggest she’s doubling down, prioritizing loyalty over compromise.
Insubordination was the official line for Alford and Rinner’s exit, but specifics are scarce. The Justice Department stayed silent when pressed for comment. Alford and Rinner, reached by CBS News, have yet to spill the tea.
The antitrust division, alongside the Federal Trade Commission, polices mergers and corporate practices that harm consumers. Investigations into companies like T-Mobile and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have been lightning rods for internal strife. Some Trump officials noted that resolving these cases required intense internal wrangling.
Slater entered her role with bipartisan cred, lauded by MAGA loyalists and progressive watchdogs alike. That goodwill seems to be eroding fast. Her team’s bickering threatens to derail the division’s mission to curb corporate overreach.
Alford and Rinner’s ousting wasn’t a bolt from the blue. Their administrative leave the previous week hinted at trouble brewing. Still, the speed of their firing caught many off guard.
The Trump administration’s fingerprints are all over this shakeup. Slater’s backing from top officials shows she’s got the boss’s ear. But purging seasoned players like Alford and Rinner risks alienating talent in a division already stretched thin.
The antitrust division’s job is to keep markets fair, not to play favorites with corporate titans. Yet, internal feuds suggest politics, not policy, may be driving the bus. Slater’s critics argue she’s more focused on settling scores than enforcing the law.
Alford’s role as principal deputy made him a linchpin in the division’s operations. Bill Rinner, as head of merger enforcement, shaped how the department tackled corporate consolidations. Losing both in one fell swoop could hobble ongoing cases.
Investigations into T-Mobile and Hewlett Packard Enterprise remain flashpoints. Disagreements over how to handle these cases likely fueled the tensions that led to the firings on Monday. Businesses are now left wondering if Slater’s team can stay focused.
Slater’s lawsuits against Apple and Google show she’s not afraid to swing big. But without a cohesive team, those efforts could fizzle. The division’s internal chaos risks letting corporate monopolies off the hook.
The firings of Alford and Rinner underscore a hard truth: loyalty matters in Trump’s Washington. Slater’s purge sends a message -- get in line or get out. Whether this tough stance strengthens the antitrust division or fractures it further remains to be seen.
