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Half of Big Tech Antitrust Cases Continue Amid Government Shutdown

By  |  October 5, 2025

Half of the federal government’s most high-profile antitrust cases against major technology firms are on hold due to the shutdown, while the others are moving forward despite funding lapses, according to Politico. The split underscores how the government’s legal efforts to rein in Silicon Valley giants are proceeding unevenly as Washington grapples with a funding impasse.

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    The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission are pursuing landmark antitrust actions against Google, Meta, Apple, and Amazon. These cases, some of the most closely watched in the business and political world, are seen as critical tests of federal efforts to curb corporate concentration. Per Politico, cases involving Google and Meta are continuing through the shutdown, while those targeting Amazon and Apple have been temporarily paused.

    Federal Shutdown Stalls Apple and Amazon Antitrust Cases as Google, Meta Move Forward

    The cases against Google and Meta are nearing critical junctures. In one of Google’s cases, D.C. District Judge Amit Mehta declined a government request to halt proceedings, ordering the trial to continue. According to Politico, Mehta is preparing to finalize a remedies ruling by October 8, having previously ruled against breaking up Google’s search operations. In another ongoing DOJ case involving Google’s dominance in online advertising, the department’s lawyers also sought a delay but were denied. That case has been in the remedies phase since late last week. Meanwhile, the FTC’s case against Meta, related to its acquisition of Instagram, has already concluded and awaits a ruling.

    Read more: Apple Battles EU Over Tech Regulation, Flags Privacy and Security Concerns

    By contrast, proceedings against Apple and Amazon have been suspended until federal funding resumes. District Judge John Chun in Washington state approved the FTC’s request to pause its case against Amazon, which centers on allegations that the company prioritizes its own products in its online marketplace. Politico reported that depositions already underway will continue during the pause. Similarly, District Judge Leda Dunn Wettre in New Jersey granted the Justice Department’s motion to halt discovery in its case accusing Apple of maintaining a monopoly in the smartphone market.

    How disruptive the shutdown ultimately becomes will depend on its duration. According to Politico, short-term disruptions of days or weeks are unlikely to meaningfully alter case timelines, but a prolonged funding lapse could push back trials scheduled for 2027. Federal judges maintain discretion over whether cases proceed, and both the DOJ and FTC remain obligated to comply with court orders even during a shutdown.

    Despite the funding lapse, the federal judiciary has indicated that courts will remain operational at least through October 17 using reserve funds and court fees. During the 2018 shutdown, courts continued functioning throughout the five-week period. Per Politico, both agencies are still accepting pre-merger notifications during the current funding lapse, ensuring some aspects of federal oversight remain active.

    Source: Politico