Dan Novak

Dan Novak

Dan Novak is the regulatory reporter for the National Law Journal, focusing on the environment, securities, and antitrust. He is based in Washington, DC. You can reach him at [email protected].

February 03, 2025 | National Law Journal

Trump's Inspectors General Purge Could Make Policy Changes Easier, Observers Say

Trump’s firing of the inspectors general is like when “your parents have left for the weekend so you can throw a kegger,” said Reed Smith partner Rizwan Qureshi.

By Dan Novak

3 minute read

January 30, 2025 | National Law Journal

DOT Moves to Roll Back Emissions Rules, Eliminate DEI Programs

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are focused on eliminating excessive regulations that have hindered economic growth, increased costs for American families, and prioritized far-left agendas over practical solutions,” new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement Wednesday.

By Dan Novak

3 minute read

January 29, 2025 | National Law Journal

Crypto Industry Eyes Legislation to Clarify Regulatory Framework

“Unless you’ve got a third agency that's going to say, ‘These are security coins and these are commodity coins,’ it doesn't resolve anything,” said law professor Jack Graves. “This [bill] kind of tries to draw a bright line rule between the two. I think they're dreaming because as soon as you draw rules, everybody's going to be in the gray area trying to move the other direction.”

By Dan Novak

4 minute read

January 28, 2025 | National Law Journal

Bill Would Consolidate Antitrust Enforcement Under DOJ

“I think some of the complaints that people have about the actions under the Biden FTC has really raised the profile of these kinds of issues for companies and practitioners,” said former Federal Trade Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen. “So I think some of the things the FTC has done in the past four years has raised interest in reining them in.”

By Dan Novak

4 minute read

January 24, 2025 | National Law Journal

SEC Revokes Biden-Era Crypto Accounting Guidance

Critics of the guidance said it effectively prevented banks from holding digital assets in custody and evaded normal commission rulemaking. Congress passed a measure repealing the guidance in May but former President Joe Biden vetoed it.

By Dan Novak

3 minute read

January 23, 2025 | National Law Journal

FTC Finalizes Child Online Privacy Rule Updates, But Ferguson Eyes Further Changes

The updates “contain several measures improving data privacy and security protections for children” but “no one should have any doubt that these issues are the result of the Biden-Harris FTC’s frantic rush to finalize rules on their way out the door," wrote now-Republican Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson. "The Commission under President Trump should address these issues and fix the mess that the outgoing majority leaves in its wake.”

By Dan Novak

4 minute read

January 22, 2025 | National Law Journal

'Something Else Is Coming': DOGE Established, but With Limited Scope

Under Trump's executive order, the U.S. Digital Service will be renamed the U.S. DOGE Service, charged with “modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.” The order also directs each agency head to create a DOGE team of at least four employees.

By Dan Novak

3 minute read

January 21, 2025 | National Law Journal

CFPB Resolves Flurry of Enforcement Actions in Biden's Final Week

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed one lawsuit and reached five settlements last week, totaling nearly $206.6 million in civil resolutions and redress.

By Dan Novak

3 minute read

January 17, 2025 | National Law Journal

Skadden and Steptoe, Defending Amex GBT, Blasts Biden DOJ's Antitrust Lawsuit Over Merger Proposal

Amex GBT's Biden-bashing defense strategy may have no influence on the ultimate outcome of the government's lawsuit opposing Amex GBT's proposed acquisition of rival travel management company CWT, according to antitrust litigation experts.

By Dan Novak and Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

4 minute read

January 16, 2025 | National Law Journal

EPA Nominee Zeldin Says Climate Change Is Real, Agency Shouldn't Suffocate Economy

“I believe that climate change is real," Lee Zeldin told senators on the Environment and Public Works Committee. He added that environmental policies should not hamper economic growth.

By Dan Novak

4 minute read