The Department of Justice filed notice Thursday it is appealing the trial decision allowing the merger of AT&T and Time Warner to move forward.

Why it matters: The deal has already closed.

What they're saying: "The Court’s decision could hardly have been more thorough, fact-based, and well-reasoned," said AT&T General Counsel David McAtee in a statement. "While the losing party in litigation always has the right to appeal if it wishes, we are surprised that the DOJ has chosen to do so under these circumstances. We are ready to defend the Court’s decision at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.”