DOJ Antitrust Division Faces Scrutiny Amid MAGA Lobbying Allegations
Critique of DOJ Antitrust Leadership
A former top official in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust division has criticized members of the agency’s senior leadership for allegedly enabling politically connected lobbyists to influence decisionmaking. Roger Alford, previously the principal deputy assistant attorney general, expressed these concerns at the Tech Policy Institute Aspen Forum.
Internal Conflicts and Allegations
In his first remarks since his recent dismissal, Alford described a battle within the DOJ’s antitrust division between MAGA reformers and MAGA-In-Name-Only lobbyists. He accused some DOJ officials of pursuing agendas that diverge from the President’s antitrust goals.
- Alford's Dismissal: He was fired amid internal divisions regarding the controversial Hewlett Packard Enterprise-Juniper Networks merger settlement.
- Political Interference: Alford alleged that lobbyists on the MAGA team influenced decisions while others were marginalized.
- Call for Justice: He criticized senior officials for prioritizing political connections over legal merits in decision-making processes.
Concerns Over Future Implications
With allegations of politicization emerging, Senate Democrats have called for an investigation into the HPE-Juniper settlement process, highlighting potential breaches in antitrust enforcement integrity.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.