Trump Expected to Nominate FCC Lawyer Adam Candeub to Lead DOJ Antitrust Division

According to Bloomberg News, which first reported the expected nomination, Candeub has emerged as Trump’s choice to lead the division responsible for enforcing federal antitrust laws, reviewing major mergers, and pursuing cases involving monopolization and other anticompetitive conduct.

Reuters separately confirmed the expected nomination, citing a source familiar with the matter, and reported that Trump recently met with Candeub alongside Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and White House Counsel David Warrington to discuss the position. A White House official declined to comment on the anticipated appointment.

If nominated and confirmed, Candeub would oversee one of the Justice Department’s highest-profile legal portfolios. The Antitrust Division shares responsibility for enforcing U.S. competition laws with the Federal Trade Commission, including reviewing corporate mergers, investigating alleged monopolistic conduct and prosecuting cartel activity.

The expected leadership change comes as Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed Assefi, who currently leads the Antitrust Division, is preparing to leave the position later this month, according to Reuters.

Candeub currently serves as the FCC’s general counsel, where he has been involved in legal matters tied to communications regulation and agency enforcement. Reuters reported that during his tenure, the FCC has opened investigations into Disney’s diversity practices and examined whether ABC’s daytime program “The View” complied with federal equal-time requirements for political candidates.

Read more: Supreme Court Sides With FCC in Dispute Over Wireless Carrier Fines

Before joining the FCC, Candeub served in both the Commerce Department and the Justice Department during Trump’s first administration. He is also a longtime professor at Michigan State University specializing in telecommunications, internet law and regulatory policy.

According to Bloomberg News, Candeub’s background in communications law and administrative regulation made him a leading candidate as the administration searched for a permanent head of the Antitrust Division following Assefi’s planned departure.

The appointment would come at a significant moment for U.S. competition policy. The Justice Department continues to oversee major antitrust litigation involving some of the country’s largest corporations, while also reviewing mergers across industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications and financial services.

Leadership of the Antitrust Division plays a central role in determining litigation priorities, merger enforcement strategy and coordination with the Federal Trade Commission on competition matters. Although the DOJ and FTC share jurisdiction over federal antitrust enforcement, the agencies often divide investigations based on industry expertise and existing workloads.

Candeub has also contributed to broader conservative policy discussions on competition law. Reuters reported that he authored the Federal Trade Commission chapter of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 policy blueprint, which outlined potential priorities for the agency under a Republican administration.

Bloomberg reported that the expected nomination follows internal deliberations within the administration over who would permanently lead the Antitrust Division after months of acting leadership.

Source: Bloomberg News