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20 AGs Accuse DOJ of Political Favoritism in HPE–Juniper Merger.
WASHINGTON (Sept. 9, 2025) — Democratic senators and state attorneys general are blasting the Justice Department for approving Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s $14 billion takeover of Juniper Networks, calling it a politically tainted “backroom deal” that could drive up prices and crush competition.The DOJ initially sued to block the merger, warning it would leave HPE and Cisco controlling up to 75% of the networking equipment market. But in June, the agency abruptly reversed course, settling with HPE after the company agreed to minor divestitures and AI licensing. That decision triggered outrage inside and outside the department. Two senior antitrust officials who opposed the settlement were fired, one of whom accused DOJ leadership of caving to lobbyists with Trump administration ties.
Now, a coalition of 20 Democratic AGs, led by New York’s Letitia James and Colorado’s Phil Weiser, is urging a federal judge to toss the deal under the Tunney Act, which requires courts to ensure mergers serve the public interest. In their filing, the AGs cited reports of “boozy backroom meetings” and secret side agreements involving former Trump officials. Critics warn the merger could hike network equipment prices by as much as 14% and set a dangerous precedent for political meddling in antitrust enforcement. Congressional hearings are being demanded as the controversy deepens.
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