Oregon's Attorney General, Dan Rayfield, has dropped efforts to delay the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which would have given his office time to review documents related to the deal. Rayfield had sought to investigate Paramount's lobbying efforts, specifically under the code name 'Project Warrior.' The withdrawal of the civil investigative demand was prompted by Paramount's non-compliance, with claims of feeling 'above the law.' While this setback may be seen as a win for Paramount, Rayfield's team indicated they would consider their next steps. Other states and the UK are still contemplating actions against the merger on antitrust grounds.

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Oregon’s Attorney General withdraws effort to delay Paramount and Warner Bros. merger

AG Dan Rayfield says Paramount clearly thinks “they’re above the law.”

byTerrence O'Brien

Jul 11, 2026, 2:44 PM EDT

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Terrence O'Brienis the Verge’s weekend editor. He’s covered the tech industry for over 18 years and knows a thing or two about synths.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield had been seeking documents from Paramount related to its takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Rayfield also asked a state circuit court judge to delay the closing of the deal by 60 days so that his office could review the documents. But according to Deadline and Variety, he’s now dropped his civil investigative demand for the records.

Obviously, Paramount is pleased with Rayfield’s decision to withdraw his request, but the AG’s office isn’t exactly satisfied with the outcome.

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Jenny Hansson, communications director for Rayfield, told Deadline that, “Paramount made it clear that they weren’t going to comply with the investigative demand, and that they think they’re above the law. We’re not going to let them waste Oregonians’ resources on these games. We’ve withdrawn the motion to consider our next steps.”

Rayfield specifically was interested in documents relating to Paramount’s lobbying efforts, which were codenamed “Project Warrior.” Paramount is run by David and Larry Ellison, major supporters of Donald Trump who enjoy a cozy relationship with the White House. The President went out of his way during the proceeding to say that Netflix, Paramount’s primary rival for Warner Bros. Discovery, would “ pay the consequences” if it didn’t remove Trump critic Susan Rice from its board.

While Oregon’s efforts to stop the merger have stalled, others, including California, New York, and even the UK, are considering moves to block the deal on antitrust grounds. Hollywood has alsospoken out in opposition to the merger.

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Oregon’s Attorney General withdraws effort to delay Paramount and Warner Bros. merger

Oregon’s Attorney General withdraws effort to delay Paramount and Warner Bros. merger

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