The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday moved to prevent AT&T Inc from arguing that politics played a role in the government’s decision to stop its merger with Time Warner Inc a deal that President Donald Trump had publicly criticized.
The deal has been a political lightning rod since it was hatched in October 2016. During his campaign, Trump said that reporters covered him unfairly and has continued to attack CNN as president, which he has labeled as “fake news.” He has not commented on the AT&T deal since his inauguration in January.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions declined to say last week if anyone from the White House had discussed the merger with any Justice Department officials.
Satellite TV provider DISH Network urged Federal Communications Commission officials this week to reject the proposed merger of Comcast with Time Warner Cable.