Slater’s replacement, Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi, insisted in an interview with Reuters in March that the Paramount/Warner deal will not be fast-tracked for approval because of political factors. “The idea that somehow enforcement has been politicized is ludicrous,” he said.

DOJ says merger will boost competition

The DOJ announcement of its approval said the deal is likely to increase competition in the streaming video market “by offering consumers a more robust competitive alternative” to the larger offerings. The deal would combine Paramount+ with HBO Max.

The DOJ also said the merger is unlikely to harm competition in the market for development, production, and distribution of theatrical films. “Instead, the evidence shows extensive competition within the industry, which has generated greater output and diversity of film offerings, and is likely to continue unabated,” the DOJ announcement said.

Although Paramount won over federal regulators, it will likely have to fight a lawsuit from California, New York, and other US states. The states reportedly plan to file a lawsuit seeking to block the merger in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, European Union regulators are scrutinizing the deal’s financing and impacts on competition.

US states also diverged with the Trump administration in a fight against Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary. The Biden-era Department of Justice and most US states sued Live Nation in 2024, but the Trump administration blindsided state attorneys general in the middle of the resulting trial by agreeing to stop its pursuit of a breakup.

The states continued the litigation after the Trump administration dropped out, and they won the trial. A federal jury ruled in April that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operate an illegal monopoly that overcharged fans for tickets. There is a separate proceeding to determine damages and potential remedies, which could include a breakup of the company.