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A $14 billion merger between Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Juniper Networks is under fire after an anticorruption group accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of approving it under political and corporate pressure. The Dekleptocracy Alliance slammed the deal as “fundamentally corrupt,” claiming it was influenced by lobbyists with close ties to the White House, including Mike Davis and Arthur Schwartz.
(In a prior investigation on this subject, Tonernews.com revealed…)
Initially opposed by the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, the merger was overruled by political appointees, sparking fears that political favoritism is undermining antitrust laws. Critics argue that this sets a dangerous precedent, where powerful interests bypass regulations meant to protect competition. The Tunney Act, requiring transparency in such settlements, was reportedly violated as key lobbying efforts went undisclosed.
Trump Administration: A New Era of Antitrust?
The controversy also casts a spotlight on the Trump administration’s evolving antitrust stance, which has shown signs of deregulating corporate practices. By reversing key Biden-era policies and favoring settlements over litigation, the administration is reshaping the landscape of corporate oversight, potentially giving larger corporations the upper hand.
However, the HPE-Juniper case complicates this narrative. While many expected the Trump administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement, the DOJ’s aggressive stance in this case suggests that the antitrust policy is anything but lax—but it also raises questions about how political considerations could be influencing what should be an independent regulatory process.
The Question No One is Asking
Is this really about competition, or is this just another example of political insiders reshaping the economy to their benefit? While lobbyists and corporate interests may argue that this merger will lead to efficiency gains, many experts suggest the opposite. This deal could concentrate market power in the hands of a few, stifling innovation and raising prices for consumers—all while politicians look the other way. As the HPE-Juniper merger moves forward in the courts, this case serves as a stark reminder: the intersection of politics and big business is no longer a secret—it’s the rule, not the exception.
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