Adam Candeub, a conservative critic of the technology sector and currently the Federal Communications Commission’s general counsel, is the leading candidate to become the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division, sources told CBS News.
What happened
Candeub is under consideration to replace acting assistant attorney general Omeed Assefi, who is departing the DOJ’s Antitrust Division next month for family reasons. Assefi assumed the role in an acting capacity after the prior head was dismissed amid internal conflicts.
As the DOJ Antitrust Division chief, Candeub would oversee enforcement of laws targeting monopolistic practices and the review of major mergers, including the pending merger between Warner Bros. and Paramount Skydance.
Before joining the FCC, Candeub was a senior fellow at the conservative think tank Center for Renewing America. Other candidates interviewed include Mike Murray, a former DOJ lawyer now at Paul Hastings LLP, and Adam Cella, a lawyer with House Republicans. No final selection has been announced.
Why it matters
The DOJ Antitrust Division plays a critical role in regulating competition in key industries, including technology, media, and entertainment. The appointment of a conservative tech critic like Candeub signals potential shifts in antitrust enforcement priorities under the current administration.
Antitrust enforcement recently faced criticism for settling major cases, such as the high-profile approval of a controversial Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger. Some legal experts argue the division’s approach under the Trump administration was lenient on corporate mergers, raising concerns about effective monopoly oversight.
Background
Omeed Assefi became acting chief of the DOJ Antitrust Division after his predecessor, Gail Slater, was fired following clashes with senior DOJ officials. Assefi pledged to focus enforcement efforts on cases affecting consumers directly.
The DOJ’s antitrust enforcement has been under scrutiny, notably with a 2024 federal court ruling that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated an illegal monopoly, validating the concerns of states opposing a negotiated settlement.
The Antitrust Division’s leadership is pivotal amid ongoing debates over the regulation of tech giants and high-stakes mergers that affect market competition and consumer prices.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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