The United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice that enforces U.S. antitrust law. It has exclusive jurisdiction over U.S. federal criminal antitrust investigations and prosecutions. It also has jurisdiction over civil antitrust enforcement, which it shares with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Antitrust Division often works jointly with the FTC to provide regulatory guidance to businesses.
The Division is headed by an Assistant Attorney General, who is appointed by the President of the United States with and by the advice and consent of the Senate, and reports to the Associate Attorney General. The current Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division is Jonathan Kanter, who was sworn into office November 16, 2021.
History
On February 25, 1903, Congress earmarked $500,000 for antitrust enforcement. On March 3, 1903, Congress created the position of Antitrust AG, with a salary to be paid out of the funds earmarked for antitrust enforcement. The 1904 DOJ Register identified two professional staffers responsible for enforcement of antitrust laws, but it wasn't until 1919 that the Division was formally established.
Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer “effected the first important reorganization" of DOJ since it was first established in 1870. Palmer organized DOJ into divisions, and placed the AtAG “in charge of the Anti-Trust Division.” Palmer's annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1919 contained the first public statement that DOJ had a component called the "Antitrust Division."
2013 closure of field offices
The closure of four of the Antitrust Division's criminal antitrust offices in January 2013 generated significant controversy within the Division and among members of Congress. The Attorney General posited that the closure of these offices will save money and not negatively affect criminal enforcement.
A significant number of career prosecutors have voiced contrary opinions, noting that the elimination of half of the Division's criminal enforcement offices will increase travel expenses and diminish the likelihood of uncovering local or regional conspiracies.
Leadership
The head of the Antitrust Division is the Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust (AAG-AT) appointed by the President of the United States. Jonathan Kanter was confirmed as Assistant Attorney General on November 16, 2021.
The Assistant Attorney General is assisted by six Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAG) who each oversee a different branch of the Division. One of the DAAGs holds the position of "Principal Deputy," that is "first among equals," and "will typically assume the powers of the Assistant Attorney General in the Assistant Attorney General's absence."
Front Office and Operations
Office of the Assistant Attorney General
Assistant Attorney General
Deputy Assistant Attorneys General
Chief of Staff and Senior Advisors
Directors of Enforcement
Office of the Chief Legal Advisor
Office of Operations
Civil Sections
Civil Conduct Task Force
Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section
Financial Services, Fintech, and Banking Section
Healthcare and Consumer Products Section
Media, Entertainment, and Communications Section
Technology and Digital Platforms Section
Transportation, Energy, and Agriculture Section
Criminal Sections and Offices
Chicago Office
New York Office
Procurement Collusion Strike Force
San Francisco Office
Washington Criminal I Section
Washington Criminal II Section
Economic Sections
Economic Analysis Group
Other Offices
Appellate Section
Competition Policy and Advocacy Section
Executive Office
International Section
List of Assistant Attorneys General for the Antitrust Division
See also
Competition Bureau (Canadian counterpart) Competition policy Competition regulator Federal Trade Commission United States v. Microsoft Corp.