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USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Trump administration sues California over egg prices
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, alleging that three state laws are contributing to the rising cost of eggs nationwide. 'The State of California has contributed to the historic rise in egg prices by imposing unnecessary red tape on the production of eggs," said the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in central California on July 9. "Through a combination of voter initiatives, legislative enactments, and regulations, California has effectively prevented farmers across the country from using a number of agricultural production methods which were in widespread use — and which helped keep eggs affordable." The lawsuit takes aim at three California laws, Assembly Bill 1437, Proposition 2 and Proposition 12, which create welfare standards for farm animals and regulate egg production. The Trump administration argues that regulating eggs is within the federal government's domain under a 1970 federal law. The administration also contends that the federal law overseeing egg quality and packaging preempts state laws that seek to impose additional requirements on egg production. One California state law, AB 1437, regulates egg quality for human consumption. Prop 2 is a statewide ballot measure California voters passed in 2008 that created welfare mandates for farm animals such as egg-laying hens. The administration argues that the laws work in tandem to depress egg production and to increase prices. A third state law mentioned in the suit, Prop. 12, was passed by voters in 2018, which brought forth specific minimum-space requirements for chickens and other farm animals. Egg prices have been quite volatile this year, with increases of more than 40% due to factors including bird flu outbreaks, which were not mentioned in the Trump administration lawsuit. The average cost for a dozen eggs nationwide was $2.56 per dozen, while in California, egg prices averaged around $3.38 per dozen on July 4, according to the United States Dairy Association (USDA) Markets Overview Report. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for egg prices in May showed up to a 41% increase compared to one year ago. The next release of the CPI, which includes egg prices, is scheduled for July 15. Justice Dept. sues California again: Trump administration files lawsuit against California over transgender athletes Egg regulation lawsuit is the latest salvo between Trump and California The lawsuit is the latest in a feud and war of words with the state of California and Gov. Gavin Newsom. The suit came on the same day the Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against the California Department of Education, alleging that the state is violating anti-discrimination laws by allowing transgender athletes to compete in school sports. The complaint, filed in federal court, alleges that California's current policies "eviscerate equal athletic opportunities for girls" by forcing them to "compete against boys" in state athletic events. A Newsom spokesperson said the state is following a 2013 law and that no court has accepted the legal theory cited by the Trump administration in the suit. In June, Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles. President Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 Guard members to quell demonstrations and violent protests against his immigration crackdown, a move Newsom has called unlawful. Newsom accused Trump of 'inciting and provoking violence,' 'creating mass chaos,' and 'militarizing cities,' and called the president's moves "the act of a dictator." The governor said the decision to sue the Trump administration was due to a "serious breach of state sovereignty" and demanded that the president "return control" to California. How's the president faring?: Where does Trump's approval rating stand after tax bill passes? See the polls U.S. Attorney General said egg lawsuit seeks to protect American consumers U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the egg regulation lawsuit against California is the latest Justice Department action seeking to protect American consumers from predatory commercial practices and regulatory burdens. "Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs," Bondi said in a news release announcing the lawsuit. "Under President Trump's leadership, we will use the full extent of federal law to ensure that American families are free from oppressive regulatory burdens and restore American prosperity." The lawsuit against California also names Newsom, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other state officials as defendants. Newsom's press office took a jab at the lawsuit in a July 9 post on the social media site X, claiming President Trump is "back to his favorite hobby: blaming California for literally everything." "Next up: @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom caused the fall of Rome and sent the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs," the post added.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration sues California over cost of eggs
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, alleging that three state laws are the reason behind rising egg prices in the Golden State. 'The State of California has contributed to the historic rise in egg prices by imposing unnecessary red tape on the production of eggs. Through a combination of voter initiatives, legislative enactments, and regulations, California has effectively prevented farmers across the country from using a number of agricultural production methods which were in widespread use—and which helped keep eggs affordable,' the lawsuit said. The suit targets three state laws, AB 1437, Proposition 2, and Proposition 12. Prop 2, a statewide ballot measure voters passed in 2008, created welfare mandates for farm animals such as egg-laying hens, and AB 1437 regulates egg quality for human consumption. The administration argues that the laws work in tandem to depress egg production and drive up prices. The suit also calls out Prop. 12, passed by voters in 2018, which requires specific minimum-space requirements for chickens and other farm animals. The administration also argues that regulating egg production falls under the federal government's domain, citing a 1970 federal law. There was no mention of the bird flu. An outbreak of the disease earlier this year hiked prices up nationwide. Gov. Gavin Newsom's press office poked fun at the suit with a post on X, claiming President Donald Trump is 'back to his favorite hobby: blaming California for literally everything.' 'Next up: @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom caused the fall of Rome and sent the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs,' the post continued. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump administration sues California over cost of eggs
(KTLA) — The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against California, alleging that three state laws are the reason behind rising egg prices in the Golden State. 'The State of California has contributed to the historic rise in egg prices by imposing unnecessary red tape on the production of eggs. Through a combination of voter initiatives, legislative enactments, and regulations, California has effectively prevented farmers across the country from using a number of agricultural production methods which were in widespread use — and which helped keep eggs affordable,' the lawsuit said. The suit targets three state laws, AB 1437, Proposition 2, and Proposition 12. Prop 2, a statewide ballot measure voters passed in 2008, created welfare mandates for farm animals such as egg-laying hens, and AB 1437 regulates egg quality for human consumption. The administration argues that the laws work in tandem to depress egg production and drive up prices. The suit also calls out Prop. 12, passed by voters in 2018, which requires specific minimum-space requirements for chickens and other farm animals. The administration also argues that regulating egg production falls under the federal government's domain, citing a 1970 federal law. There was no mention of the bird flu. An outbreak of the disease earlier this year hiked prices up nationwide. Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) press office poked fun at the suit with a post on X, claiming President Donald Trump is 'back to his favorite hobby: blaming California for literally everything.' 'Next up: @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom caused the fall of Rome and sent the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs,' the post continued.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Admin Sues California Over Soaring Egg Prices
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Trump administration has sued California over its animal cruelty laws, saying the state's regulation of chicken farms has led to high egg prices across the country. Lowering the cost of eggs, which spiked in recent years as an avian flu outbreak ravaged American flocks, was one of President Donald Trump's key campaign promises in the lead-up to the 2024 election. But almost six months into his second mandate, his administration has struggled to keep the cost of the staple down. The administration now says California's regulations create "unnecessary red tape" in the production of eggs and are responsible for stubbornly high prices. The lawsuit is the latest flash point in the ongoing battle between the U.S. president and the Democratic-led state, which has clashed with the Trump administration over its aggressive immigration policies and transgender rights. "Trump's back to his favorite hobby: blaming California for literally everything," the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X, formerly Twitter, about the lawsuit. "Next up: @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom caused the fall of Rome and sent the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs!" What Is the Lawsuit About? The lawsuit, which the Trump administration filed in Los Angeles federal court, blamed the Golden State's animal cruelty laws—widely regarded as among the strictest and most progressive in the nation—for creating the conditions that led to the current spike in egg prices across the country. The laws, the Trump administration argued, have prevented "farmers across the country from using a number of agricultural production methods which were in widespread use—and which helped keep eggs affordable." Under Proposition 2, an initiative approved by California voters in 2008 and implemented in 2015, the state forbids farmers from packing chickens together so close that a hen cannot "lie down, stand up, fully extend its limbs, and turn around freely." Essentially, the state bans the use of chicken battery farms, a method of intensive egg production where hens are stacked in rows and rows of tiny cages, which restrict their natural movements and can cause the animals high levels of stress and frustration. A composite image of a supermarket shopper walking past an egg display in Monterey Park, California, on February 10 and an inset of President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House... A composite image of a supermarket shopper walking past an egg display in Monterey Park, California, on February 10 and an inset of President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 9. More FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images;Proposition 12, an initiative backed by California voters in 2018 and implemented in January 2022, outlawed the use of cages for egg-laying hens, sows and calves raised for veal, giving specific requirements of how much space farmers must give to their animals. Crucially, it also banned the in-state sale of products from caged animals raised out of state. The Trump administration's lawsuit argued that the federal Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970 should preempt any California state laws related to eggs. This law, the lawsuit says, gives the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services the authority to regulate eggs to protect consumers' health and welfare, and it requires "national uniformity" in egg safety standards. "It is the prerogative of the federal government alone to regulate the quality, inspection, and packaging of eggs," the Justice Department wrote in its civil complaint. "Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. "Under President Trump's leadership, we will use the full extent of federal law to ensure that American families are free from oppressive regulatory burdens and restore American prosperity." It is not the first time that California's animal cruelty laws have been challenged in court. In 2014, six states—Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and Iowa—sued California over its egg regulations. The states lost both in a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Other states—including Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Washington—have laws requiring eggs sold in the state to be from cage-free hens. In February, Nevada temporarily relaxed its cage-free requirements because of the shortages, but the rules were restored in June. How High Are Egg Prices? According to the latest consumer price index, egg prices nationwide averaged $4.55 per dozen in May—up from $2.69 a year earlier, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The main reason behind higher egg prices is that supply has shrunk as a direct consequence of the avian flu that broke out in the country in February 2022 and has since wreaked havoc among American flocks. Under federal policy, to prevent the spread of the virus, entire flocks must be culled if even a single infected bird is found on a farm. Cage-free hens proved to be particularly vulnerable to the virus. In 2024, according to NerdWallet, cage-free hens represented almost 60 percent of all bird flu cases for the year, even as they accounted for about a third of egg-laying hens in the U.S. In January, the White House blamed the Biden administration for killing more than 100 million birds, most of which were egg-laying hens. The Trump administration's lawsuit against California does not mention the avian flu that has laid waste across the U.S. egg industry and led to the culling of millions of birds across the country over the past few years.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Trump administration sues California over egg prices, blames red tape
The US government sued California over its regulation of eggs and chickens, claiming that "unnecessary red tape' provoked an egg price spike across the country. 'The laws and regulations challenged by the complaint impose costly requirements on farmers that have the effect of raising egg prices for American consumers by prohibiting farmers across the country from using commonly accepted agricultural methods that helped keep eggs affordable,' said a statement from the Department of Justice. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, targeted three pieces of legislation: AB 1437, Proposition 2 and Proposition 12. It argued that nationwide egg regulation is the responsibility of the federal government, rather than states, to allow for 'national uniformity'. California can regulate farms within the state, but it cannot impose requirements on eggs from other states that are sold in California, said the lawsuit. The disputed laws impose a number of requirements related to food safety and animal welfare. For example, Proposition 2 prevents farmers from confining a chicken to the extent where it is unable to "lie down, stand up, fully extend its limbs, and turn around freely'. This is not the first time that California's egg regulations have sparked legal challenges. Six states sued California in 2014, although the plaintiffs lost the case in both a federal district court and a court of appeals. In March this year, the US Department of Justice also launched an investigation to determine whether egg producers were price fixing during the bird flu outbreak. Major producer Cal-Maine Foods, probed by the DOJ, reported net income of $508.5mn for the December to February quarter, a 247% year-on-year increase. In 2024, egg prices rose 65%, although they started to fall again in April this year. Earlier this year, Turkey agreed to send 5,000 tonnes of eggs to the US by July to help alleviate the shortage.
