DOJ antitrust chief signals tougher stance

The Justice Department's acting antitrust chief, Omeed Assefi, delivered a speech titled "It's not personal, Sonny, it's strictly business," signaling a more assertive approach to antitrust enforcement. Assefi described the agency as actively pursuing strong actions against corporate misconduct when necessary, while also remaining open to negotiation for optimal outcomes. This stance appears to be a direct response to criticisms suggesting the department had been too lenient with corporate lobbyists, potentially striking weaker settlements. The agency aims to balance robust enforcement with pragmatic negotiation to achieve the strongest possible results for the public interest.