The US Department of Justice has faced intense criticism for its decision to back down on an antitrust lawsuit against tech giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) just weeks before trial. The move came after a heated lobbying campaign that saw officials reportedly overrule their own division’s concerns.
The DOJ initially filed a complaint alleging HPE’s $14 billion megamerger with another firm would harm competition and lead to higher prices for consumers. However, the department has since approved the deal with a weak consent decree, imposing limited obligations on the combined firm to maintain market competition.
This decision is seen as a major victory for HPE, but it also exposes rifts within the GOP coalition and raises concerns about corruption and pay-to-play politics within the Justice Department. The move could potentially undo ongoing Biden-era lawsuits against corporations like Apple, Visa, and Ticketmaster.
Source: https://www.levernews.com/how-big-tech-powered-a-justice-department-coup