DOJ Watchdog Urged by Senators to Probe HPE-Juniper Deal

A group of four influential Senate Democrats have called on the Department of Justice's (DOJ) watchdog to investigate an antitrust settlement involving Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Juniper Networks Inc. The settlement, which was reached in 2022, allowed HPE to acquire Juniper's data center networking business. The Senators, who include Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Richard Blumenthal, expressed concerns that the settlement may have been influenced by political considerations and did not adequately address the potential anti-competitive effects of the deal. They have requested that the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General examine the decision-making process and ensure that the settlement was in the best interests of consumers and competition. The lawmakers' request highlights the ongoing scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions in the technology sector, where consolidation can potentially limit market competition and harm consumer choice. The outcome of the investigation, if undertaken, could have significant implications for the industry and future antitrust enforcement actions.