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Coalition of States Challenges DOJ Over HPE-Juniper Merger Settlement

By  |  October 16, 2025

A growing alliance of state attorneys general is pushing back against what they view as an overly lenient federal settlement in the ongoing antitrust case involving Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s planned $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks. According to the US Herald, the U.S. Department of Justice appears to be moving toward finalizing a deal that would allow the merger to proceed, but several states are demanding a stronger stance to safeguard competition.

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    On Tuesday, twelve attorneys general representing states including New York, California, and Massachusetts, as well as the District of Columbia, filed a motion to intervene in the California federal court proceedings. Per US Herald, the move underscores mounting unease among state regulators who believe the federal government’s proposed remedies fall short of addressing antitrust concerns.

    The Justice Department’s proposed settlement reportedly includes a requirement for Juniper to divest its Wi-Fi network business. However, the coalition of states argues that this condition is insufficient to preserve a competitive market or to protect consumer interests. California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed sharp criticism of the federal government’s approach, describing the Justice Department’s previous handling of the deal as “extremely alarming.”

    Related: Attorneys General Challenge DOJ Settlement on HPE-Juniper Deal

    “Regulators from across the political spectrum have argued that the Trump Administration’s approval of the HPE/Juniper merger is inadequate and potentially the result of backroom deals,” Bonta said. “We must wield the power of our offices for the good of the people — not to line the pockets of friends.”

    According to US Herald, the states’ legal filing indicates their intention to actively participate in evaluating the proposed settlement under the Tunney Act — a process designed to ensure that consent decrees in antitrust cases serve the public interest rather than political expediency. The attorneys general argue that their involvement is necessary to ensure meaningful oversight and to prevent the merger from consolidating too much market power in a single company.

    Per US Herald, this latest development signals a potential rift between state and federal regulators on how to manage large-scale technology mergers.

    Source: US Herald