Trump's revenge: The Justice Department investigates media giants

The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into five major American television networks on suspicion of violating antitrust laws, following their joint decision to temporarily suspend the White House press pool. The investigation, led by the Deputy Attorney General, represents an escalation in the Trump administration's battle against the media.

The US Department of Justice has opened a federal investigation into five of the largest American television networks — ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News — on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. The investigation, reported by the New York Times, stems from the networks' joint decision to suspend the White House press pool, a step described by Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington as a "group boycott" that may violate the Sherman Act. The crisis began in September when President Donald Trump barred CNN journalists from entering the White House, preventing them from participating in the joint press pool. In response, the networks suspended coverage for several days, and as a result, video documentation of significant events, such as the reception for Chinese President Xi Jinping, was not broadcast. The investigation is being led by Stanley Woodward, the Deputy Attorney General, and fits into a pattern of the administration using government institutions against media outlets perceived as enemies. Legal experts, including William E. Kovacic, former chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, have expressed doubt about the investigation's success, as proving a clear commercial motive is critical in antitrust cases, and in this instance the primary goal is expressing a political stance.