Two US Justice Dept Officials Fired in Merger Scandal, Source Says

A Controversial Settlement and Internal Power Struggles at the DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has faced a significant internal upheaval following the firing of two senior officials from its antitrust division. According to a source familiar with the decision, these firings were tied to insubordination, sparking broader discussions about the agency's approach to antitrust enforcement.

The two officials, Roger Alford and Bill Rinner, were key deputies under Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater, who previously worked as an advisor to JD Vance. Their removal highlights a growing tension within the Trump administration between those advocating for strong antitrust measures and others focused on facilitating business deals.

Alford, who served as Slater’s top deputy during the first Trump administration, and Rinner, who was responsible for merger enforcement, were no longer listed as part of the antitrust leadership on the DOJ website. Neither individual has publicly commented on the situation.

The controversy centers around a recent settlement that allowed Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to acquire Juniper Networks for $14 billion. The DOJ initially sued to block the deal, arguing it would harm competition in the market for wireless networking solutions used by large enterprises. However, after negotiations, the DOJ agreed to drop its claims in exchange for HPE licensing some of Juniper’s AI technology to competitors and selling off a unit that serves small and mid-sized businesses.

This agreement was signed by Slater and several other high-ranking officials, including Rinner and Alford, rather than the case’s staff attorneys. This move has raised questions among sources familiar with merger protocols, who describe it as unusual.

Chad Mizelle, who served as Chief of Staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, was also involved in signing the settlement. According to a person briefed on the matter, Mizelle had directed the antitrust division to settle the case. When Slater resisted, Mizelle reportedly sought to retaliate by firing Slater’s deputies.

The controversy has drawn attention from Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who led a call for a hearing on whether the settlement is in the public interest. The senators are urging U.S. District Judge Casey Pitts in San Jose, California, to investigate whether companies hired consultants to lobby the White House in support of the deal and failed to disclose them.

“If this or any other transaction is approved based on political favors rather than on the merits, the public will surely bear the cost,” the senators wrote in their letter.

HPE spokesperson Adam Bauer defended the acquisition, stating that the company is “confident our acquisition of Juniper Networks is in the public interest and will promote further competition in the enterprise WLAN market.” He added that the transaction was appropriately approved by the DOJ with certain remedies and was unconditionally approved by 13 other antitrust regulators worldwide.

The situation underscores the complex interplay between regulatory oversight, political influence, and corporate interests in major mergers. As the debate continues, the role of the DOJ in ensuring fair competition remains under intense scrutiny.