Tech adversary Kanter tells senators he will pursue ‘vigorous’ antitrust enforcement in nomination hearing

Jonathan Kanter told lawmakers he would bring “vigorous” enforcement to the helm of the Justice Department’s antitrust division, as they weigh his nomination to serve as one of the federal government’s top competition cops. In the October 5 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Kanter laid out bits of his plan for lawmakers, focusing on ensuring robust competition for businesses across the country. Kanter is among a wave of personnel choices who signal the Biden administration’s eagerness to regulate the tech industry, amid criticism that the companies have flourished for years seemingly without guardrails. His nomination signals how the Democrats’ relationship with the tech industry has deteriorated over the past decade, a stark shift from the Obama administration, which largely took a hands-off approach to regulating tech companies. During the nomination hearing, Kanter pointed to a number of industries where antitrust enforcement could be appropriate, from health care to agriculture, and affirmed that he has an eye on Big Tech. Lawmakers are considering his nomination amid mounting bipartisan support for greater antitrust enforcement and legislation that would bolster the ability of federal enforcers, including the Justice Department’s antitrust division, to rein in large tech platforms.