U.S. States Challenge HPE’s $14 Billion Juniper Acquisition

A coalition of U.S. states is poised to challenge Hewlett-Packard Enterprise’s (HPE) proposed acquisition of Juniper Networks, valued at approximately $14 billion. This action comes after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indicated its intention to settle a case regarding the merger, which raised concerns about competition in the technology sector. The states, led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, have filed court documents seeking permission to intervene in the ongoing legal proceedings.

In a statement made public on October 15, 2025, Weiser and attorneys general from six other states, along with Washington, D.C., expressed their desire to investigate what they describe as “suspicious circumstances” surrounding the proposed settlement. Weiser emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “The public deserves transparency on what happened in this case and to ensure that high-ranking government officials follow the law during merger reviews.”

The concern stems from the DOJ’s initial lawsuit against the merger, filed shortly after former President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. The DOJ had argued that the acquisition would significantly reduce competition, leaving HPE and Cisco Systems to dominate more than 70% of the U.S. market for networking equipment. However, in June 2025, the DOJ agreed to drop its claims, following negotiations that included commitments from HPE to license certain artificial intelligence technologies from Juniper to competitors and divest a unit focused on small and mid-sized businesses.

Should U.S. District Judge Casey Pitts in San Jose, California, grant the states’ request to intervene, they may seek an order to pause HPE’s integration with Juniper. Last month, Colorado joined a collective effort urging Pitts to investigate whether the settlement adequately addressed the DOJ’s competitive concerns and to scrutinize the influence of lobbyists with ties to the previous administration in shaping the outcome.

The unfolding legal battle reflects broader tensions in the tech industry regarding mergers and acquisitions, particularly as regulators seek to maintain competitive markets. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future mergers in the sector and sets a precedent for state involvement in federal antitrust matters. As this situation develops, stakeholders will be watching closely for further judicial actions and the potential impact on the technology landscape.