In recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have announced the formation of new task forces, both public and private, aimed at identifying and eliminating practices that restrict competition. These initiatives reflect heightened federal attention to labor market fairness and regulatory reform under the Biden and Trump administrations, respectively.
DOJ: Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force
On March 27, 2025, the DOJ unveiled its Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force, which will focus on eliminating state and federal laws that suppress free-market competition.
Key initiatives include:
- Public engagement: The DOJ is soliciting public comments through May 26, 2025, on laws and regulations that hinder competition in key sectors, including:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Food and agriculture
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Interagency collaboration: The DOJ will partner with federal and state agencies to identify and repeal regulations that restrict competition.
- Advocacy efforts: The DOJ will support deregulation through legal briefs, public comments on legislation, and litigation support.
These efforts align with President Trump’s Executive Orders 14192 and 14219, which direct federal agencies to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and promote small business growth.
FTC: Joint Labor Task Force
On February 26, 2025, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson announced the formation of a Joint Labor Task Force to investigate and address unfair, deceptive, and anticompetitive practices in labor markets.
The task force will:
- Prioritize investigations and enforcement actions targeting:
- Noncompete and non-solicitation agreements
- No-poach or no-hire agreements
- Wage-fixing and labor monopsonies
- Deceptive job advertising and business opportunities
- Occupational licensing barriers and job scams
- Coordinate internally across FTC bureaus to share best practices and enhance enforcement.
- Promote research on harmful labor practices and advocate for policy reforms.
- Conduct outreach to educate workers and encourage reporting of violations.
This initiative builds on previous FTC enforcement priorities and reinforces the agency’s continued focus on labor market competition, despite shifts in broader regulatory policy.
Looking Ahead
While the DOJ and FTC are approaching competition enforcement from different angles, both initiatives signal an aggressive posture toward removing structural barriers to market entry and worker mobility. Employers and industry participants should monitor these developments and assess potential compliance risks under evolving federal enforcement strategies.
If you have any questions regarding these newly established task forces, please feel free to reach out to Forework.