Trump Names Delrahim To Head DOJ Antitrust Division

The White House announced yesterday that Makan Delrahim will be nominated to head up the United States Justice Department's Antitrust Division. Delrahim, a long-time D.C. attorney with decades of policy and lobbying experience, is expected to be confirmed, given his Hill connections and support from the antitrust community. He is currently a member of President Trump's transition team and most recently worked to guide Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch through the Senate confirmation process. Delrahim has been described as a conservative pragmatist who listens to all sides as he attempts to develop consensus, an approach he is expected to take in his new proposed role. We anticipate that his nomination marks a return to the Bush-era level of merger challenges (meaning that the Antitrust Division will still be active), but that the Antitrust Division is more likely to clear deals that create verifiable efficiencies and is more willing to remedy issues through divestiture