In a moment that’s raising more than a few eyebrows, former Biden aide Neera Tanden is now openly questioning whether the Justice Department made the “right call” in blocking the JetBlue-Spirit merger—especially after Spirit Airlines officially shut down operations.
Yes, you read that correctly. Even voices from within the Biden orbit are starting to rethink what was once celebrated as a regulatory “win.”
Taking to X, Tanden acknowledged the obvious reality now unfolding: thousands of people are out of work. She pointed out that any honest analysis of the DOJ’s decision must include the impact on families—because while policy debates are one thing, 17,000 lost jobs are something else entirely.
That number isn’t small. According to reports, roughly 17,000 employees found themselves suddenly unemployed as Spirit ceased operations. The airline confirmed it began an immediate wind-down on May 2, canceling all flights and shutting down customer service. After 33 years of operating as a major ultra-low-cost carrier, that’s how it ends—abruptly.
In its own statement, Spirit expressed pride in its role shaping the industry, particularly its affordable pricing model, which gave millions of Americans access to air travel. Not exactly the kind of company you’d expect to just disappear overnight—unless something went seriously wrong.
And that brings the focus right back to the DOJ decision.
At the time, the Biden administration argued that blocking the merger would protect consumers from higher prices and reduced competition. But now, with Spirit completely out of the picture, critics are asking a simple question: how does eliminating an airline entirely improve competition?
Tanden didn’t go as far as fully condemning the decision, but her remarks signal something important—a shift. When even insiders start calling for a reassessment, it suggests the narrative isn’t holding up as well as it once did.
Because at the end of the day, policies aren’t judged by intentions—they’re judged by outcomes.
And in this case, the outcome is clear: fewer airlines, fewer jobs, and fewer options for travelers.
The silver lining? Moments like this force a serious conversation about what works and what doesn’t. And if that leads to better decisions moving forward, then at least something positive can come out of a tough situation.