DOJ speeds up merger reviews by reducing information requests
The U.S. Justice Department under the Trump administration is streamlining its merger review process to be less burdensome for businesses. The new model will fast-track investigations by initially focusing information requests on a deal's most glaring antitrust risks, allowing some deals to close sooner. The approach has already been used in two reviews in 2026.
DOJ merger review streamlining
▪The U.S. Justice Department will fast-track merger investigations by reducing the amount of information companies must initially provide.
▪The policy change is part of the Trump administration's approach to antitrust reviews.
▪The new approach is intended to make the government's antitrust review process less burdensome for businesses.
Targeted information requests
▪If the Justice Department's initial concerns are resolved in the first phase, the merger review will end.
▪The new, targeted approach will not be used in every merger review case.
▪The DOJ's antitrust division will first focus information requests on the most glaring or apparent competition risks of a transaction.
Deal timeline impact
▪The Justice Department has already used the new approach in two merger reviews in 2026, allowing the deals to close sooner.
▪In exchange for a focused initial review, companies must agree to give the government more time for a thorough assessment if needed.
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