Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater delivered remarks before the opening arguments in the Google search remedies trial, highlighting the bipartisan support for the Department of Justice's antitrust enforcement against the tech giant. The case, which has seen participation from 49 states, two territories, and the District of Columbia, is viewed as a crucial step in addressing monopolistic behavior in the digital marketplace.

Slater pointed out that the court has already established Google's monopolistic status and confirmed that the company has violated antitrust laws. The current phase of the trial focuses on determining appropriate remedies to rectify the harm caused by Google's unlawful conduct, which Slater argues threatens the future of the internet and stifles competition and innovation.

In her remarks, Slater stressed the significance of maintaining a competitive marketplace, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. She criticized Google's defense, which seeks to maintain the status quo, and labeled the company's characterization of the DOJ's proposed remedies as 'dangerous' as misguided. Slater asserted that the real danger lies in allowing Google's monopoly to persist unchallenged.

The DOJ's Antitrust Division aims to restore competition in the online search market, which has been stagnant for decades. Slater concluded her speech by expressing gratitude to her team for their efforts in bringing the case to this critical juncture, underscoring the importance of their work in safeguarding American digital markets.