Rep. Matt Gaetz and Sen. Mike Lee Demand Google CEO Comply with Federal Court's Potential Ruling on Antitrust Violations

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Washington, D.C.- Today, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Sundar Pichai, the Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet, Inc., to commit to complying with the federal district court's forthcoming ruling in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust case against Google. Last week, the court found that Google unlawfully monopolized the market for online search, which includes the documented suppression of conservative voices and the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.

Over the course of the DOJ's antitrust trial against Google, the public has seen evidence of the steps Google has taken to become the default search engine on computers and smartphones. Now that the court has found Google liable for unlawfully monopolizing the online search market, the DOJ has indicated it could seek a range of possible remedies to restore competition. The letter states that whatever remedy the court orders, they will be watching closely to ensure that Google follows the law.

Last month, Rep. Gaetz sent a letterto Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas asking whether his department, with its pattern of coercion and collusion with Big Tech, assisted with the social media "erasure" or the discussion of search results for the assassination attempt on President Trump.

Full text of Rep. Gaetz and Sen. Lee's letter to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai can be found HERE. Additionally, exclusive coverage of the letter by Breitbart News can be found HERE.

LETTER TEXT

Dear Mr. Pichai,

As members of Congress concerned about Big Tech's harmful impact on a free and competitive marketplace, we write to convey our expectation that Google will adhere fully to all forthcoming federal court rulings in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust case alleging that Google unlawfully monopolized the market for online search. We expect that Google will faithfully comply with these rulings and operate in a transparent manner when information is requested of your company by Congress.

Over the course of DOJ's trial against Google, the public heard troubling evidence that Google has acted to stifle competition to its market-dominant search engine. Google pays other companies, including Apple, more than $20 billion per year to make its product the default search engine on computers and smartphones. According to DOJ, these default contracts have made it impossible for rival search engines to effectively compete, leaving Google with a market share above 90 percent-and depriving American consumers of a real choice. All of our constituents feel the effects of Google's entrenched market power, including documented suppression of conservative voices on Google's channels and, more recently, the manipulation of Google's autocomplete search function that prevented Americans from easily accessing information relevant to the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on President Trump. Furthermore, there remains serious concern about the Google workforce itself, which pressured you to scuttle a joint venture with the Pentagon and which has signaled its desire to leverage your market position to undermine law enforcement efforts across the country.

Now that the Court has found Google liable for unlawfully monopolizing the online search market, it will hold a separate hearing to consider a remedy. DOJ has indicated it could seek a range of possible remedies to restore competition, including equitable remedies that our nation's broad antitrust laws permit. Some of those remedies could impose new conduct-based obligations on Google. We expect Google to abide by any court-imposed remedy and, going forward, to promote competition and eliminate censorship that has undermined our country's tradition of unfettered discourse and open debate.

Whatever remedy the court imposes, we will be watching closely to ensure that Google follows the law. The resolution of DOJ's case comes at a possible inflection point, as the rise of artificial intelligence has the potential to reshape competitive dynamics in online search-or to further entrench Google's monopoly. Google continues to integrate its own AI technology ever deeper into its search results, placing an AI "knowledge box" at the top of its results. Google's apparent desire to extend its dominance amid the arrival of AI-integrated search suggests that the company may have an incentive to evade any behavioral conditions included in the court's remedy.

We express these concerns because of the unfortunate, long-running history of Big Tech firms flouting court rulings and settlements intended to redress their anticompetitive behavior. For example, serious allegations have been made regarding Apple's compliance with a 2021 injunction requiring the company to allow more competition in its app store. It would be disappointing to see Google follow in Apple's stead, engaging in an effort to skirt the law and evade legal responsibility.

While we appreciate Google's willingness to engage with our offices on issues of concern, it would be a mistake for your company to believe that the influence it has bought in Washington will enable it to successfully avoid a potential antitrust remedy and keep its monopoly intact. In 2023 alone, Google's parent company, Alphabet, spent nearly $15 million on lobbying. Eric Schmidt, Google's former CEO, has admitted that close government ties work in Google's favor. Mr. Schmidt has used his foundation to influence government policy and even indirectly paid the salaries of employees in the Biden White House. Let us assure you: Republicans in Congress are prepared to hold Google to account if it fails to abide by its obligations under the court's remedy.

If we observe any effort by Google to evade a court-imposed remedy, we will be vigilant to pursue any and all solutions necessary to hold your company accountable and fully restore competition in online search.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your cooperation and commitment to fair competition in the digital marketplace.

Sincerely,

Matt Gaetz
Member of Congress

Michael S. Lee
United States Senator

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