DOJ Denies Allegations of Political Influence in Antitrust Reviews Involving Trump Ally
Here's what it means for you.
Understanding the dynamics of antitrust reviews can help you navigate potential impacts on market competition and business strategies.
What happened
On March 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice denied allegations of outside influence from Mike Davis in its antitrust division's merger reviews.
The Context
- Mike Davis is a lobbyist with close ties to former President Trump, who has been accused of exerting influence over antitrust decisions despite limited experience.
- Gail Slater, the former antitrust chief, was reportedly ousted amid tensions over merger reviews, particularly concerning a $14 billion acquisition by Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
- Internal conflicts within the DOJ have raised questions about the integrity of merger approvals, with allegations of political pressure influencing key decisions.
The Number
— the value of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's acquisition of Juniper Networks, a central focus in the allegations of improper influence, highlighting the stakes involved in antitrust reviews.
Takeaway
As the DOJ maintains its stance on merit-based decisions, expect ongoing scrutiny of merger approvals and potential challenges from states and other stakeholders.
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DOJ denies outside influence from Trump ally in antitrust reviews
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has denied allegations that Mike Davis, a lawyer and ally of former President Trump, exerted outside influence to secure approvals for antitrust deals. This follows a Wall Street Journal investigation that highlighted ...
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Interviews with over three dozen people detail how lobbyist Mike Davis used his ties to Trump to push the DOJ to approve deals, including HPE's Juniper deal (Wall Street Journal)
Interviews with over three dozen individuals reveal that lobbyist Mike Davis leveraged his connections to former President Trump to influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) in approving various deals, including the significant HPE's Juniper deal. Da...