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The head of the U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust division has firmly dismissed suggestions that political connections could accelerate regulatory approval for the proposed Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi stated unequivocally that claims of politicized enforcement are "ludicrous," signaling that all merger reviews will be conducted with equal rigor regardless of corporate or political ties.
Analysts had speculated that Paramount might face a smoother regulatory path due to relationships between Paramount CEO David Ellison's father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, and President Donald Trump. Assefi shut down that narrative entirely, reinforcing that no deal receives preferential treatment under DOJ oversight. He also cited Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos as someone who publicly acknowledged receiving a fair and thorough review, even before Netflix ultimately withdrew its competing bid for Warner Bros.' studio and streaming assets.
Assefi, who previously served as special counsel to the White House during Trump's first administration and spent over eight years at the DOJ, recently resumed his role leading the antitrust division following the departure of Gail Slater. Under his watch, prison time for antitrust crimes surged by roughly 1,200 percent year over year in 2025, reflecting a sharply aggressive enforcement posture.
His priorities mirror those of his predecessor, centering on affordability and consumer-focused issues such as food, healthcare, and housing costs. The DOJ's settlement with Live Nation was highlighted as a landmark outcome for restoring market competition.
Assefi also raised red flags around "acquihires," a growing tactic where major tech companies absorb startup talent and technology without triggering formal merger review. He warned that attempts to circumvent the review process only invite greater scrutiny, encouraging companies to engage transparently with regulators from the outset.
