The Justice Department gave a green light on Fridayto the $26 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, in a decision critics say will lead to higher prices for wireless customers — while raising questions about the Trump administration’s commitment to antitrust enforcement.

The DOJ’s approval came with a caveat that could head off that criticism: The two companies agreed to make a separate deal with the satellite television company DISH that will allow the creation of another viable competitor in the wireless market. But DISH’s halting strategy in deploying its existing wireless spectrum has already raised doubts about its ability to compete with industry giants Verizon, AT&T and the combined forces of T-Mobile and Sprint.

Some opponents of the deal questioned Makan Delrahim’s decision to let it go ahead.

“To me, it’s a complete puzzle because this one was an easier one to block, and he had the states already there,” said former FCC official Gigi Sohn, who opposed the merger. “I think what it says about him is ultimately he’s a political actor, and there’s some sort of political wind that’s pushing him to do this.”

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