Two senior antitrust officials at the U.S. Department of Justice were dismissed amid internal disputes within the Trump administration concerning merger policies, particularly following Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) $13 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks. The proposed deal prompted intervention from U.S. intelligence agencies to influence the DOJ's stance. The resolution of the HPE-Juniper merger has been cited as a model for more strategic antitrust enforcement. This development has heightened the perceived importance of Trump-aligned lobbyists in facilitating major corporate transactions. The broader regulatory environment remains active, with ongoing scrutiny of large technology sector acquihire deals, as noted by outgoing European Union antitrust officials. Other significant pending transactions under close watch include mergers involving Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, Mars and Kellanova, as well as Prosus and Just Eat Takeaway.