Careful What You Text

Department of Justice Antitrust Chief Makan Delrahim is facing congressional scrutiny over his recently revealed texts with DISH Chairman Charlie Ergen, according to a set of questions for the record from House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI). In the texts from last year, Delrahim appeared to urge Ergen to lobby senators and the Federal Communications Commission to approve DISH as a buyer for assets being shed as part of the proposed T-Mobile-Sprint merger. The messages came to light during a trial in which state attorneys general are trying to block the mega-deal. “Do you believe it is appropriate for the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division to offer merging parties political advice on how to secure approval for their merger?” Chairman Cicilline asked. “Why did you undertake this action?”