United to Protect Democracy, a Washington, D.C.-based, watchdog group, is seeking an investigation into the White House's possible role in the Justice Department's decision to block Indianapolis-based Anthem's and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna's merger, the Hartford Courant reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The group submitted a letter to the Justice Department's inspector general expressing concerns over a White House official engaging in "inappropriate conduct" regarding the court's decision.
2. The group has no evidence of improper actions but cited concerns over Anthem Chief Executive Joseph Swedish's contact with President Donald Trump and the administration's employment of ex-Anthem lobbyist Mark Delrahim.
Mr. Delrahim is reportedly President Trump's pick to head the Justice Department's antitrust division.
3. A White House spokesperson said the claims were baseless, adding the White House avoided discussing either the merger or any related litigation. The White House said Mr. Delrahim has separated himself from the antitrust case completely.
4. Anthem and Cigna declined comment to the Courant.