Open Markets Responds to Report That DOJ Antitrust Chief Helped T-Mobile and Sprint Merge

WASHINGTON — In response to a report by The New York Times that U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Makan Delrahim substantively helped T-Mobile and Sprint merge, Open Markets Director of Enforcement Strategy Sally Hubbard makes the following statement: 

The New York Times reported today that Makan Delrahim "oversaw the often hostile talks" between Sprint and T-Mobile and “worked behind the scenes to help the companies pull off a deal.” T-Mobile’s acquisition of Sprint is illegal under Section 7 of the Clayton Act, which prohibits mergers that may substantially lessen competition. Makan Delrahim's job is to sue to block illegal mergers on behalf of the American people, as a coalition of state attorneys general has done, not act as a corporate deal lawyer on behalf of the merging companies. If the report's allegations are true, Delrahim should be removed from his post.