A federal judge in California has halted the $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar Media Group and Tegna, which would create the largest operator of local television stations in the country. The decision was made by DirecTV, which argues that the merger violates federal antitrust laws. Eight attorneys general, led by California's Rob Bonta, also filed a separate lawsuit on similar legal grounds. The Federal Communications Commission had previously approved the deal, with President Donald Trump publicly supporting it. The FCC waived a rule barring any single company from owning television stations that reach over 39% of U.S. households.