The Trump administration has sued California, saying that three state rules are making the price of eggs go up across the country.
There was a lawsuit brought in U.S. District Court in central California on July 9 saying that the State of California made egg prices go up by putting too many rules 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 is against Assembly Bill 1437, Proposition 2, and Proposition 12, which are three California rules that set standards for the welfare of farm animals and control how eggs are made. According to a federal rule from 1970, the Trump administration says that the federal government has the power to regulate eggs.
The government also says that state laws that try to add more rules to egg production are invalid because of the federal law that controls egg quality and packaging.
AB 1437 is a law in California that controls the quality of eggs that people can eat. Prop 2 is a statewide election measure that California voters passed in 2008 that made sure farm animals like hens that lay eggs got the care they needed. The government says that the rules work together to lower the number of eggs produced and raise prices.
Third, the lawsuit talks about Prop. 12, a state law that was passed by voters in 2018. It sets minimum space standards for chickens and other farm animals. This year, egg prices have gone up and down a lot. Some things, like bird flu outbreaks, have caused prices to rise by more than 40%. These factors were not mentioned in the case filed by the Trump administration.
The United States Dairy Association (USDA) Markets Overview Report says that on July 4, the average price of a dozen eggs across the country was $2.56 per dozen. In California, the average price was around $3.38 per dozen. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for eggs in May showed that prices had gone up 41% since the same month last year. The next CPI report, which covers egg prices, is set to come out on July 15.
The latest fight between Trump and California is a case over egg regulations.
The case is the latest in a long-running argument and verbal battle with Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state of California. The lawsuit was filed on the same day that the Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against the California Department of Education. The civil lawsuit says that the state is breaking anti-discrimination laws by letting transgender players play sports in schools.
The federal court lawsuit says that California’s current rules “eviscerate equal athletic opportunities for girls” by making them “compete against boys” in state sports events.
A spokesman for Newsom said that the state is following a law from 2013 and that the legal theory used by the Trump administration in the suit has not been accepted by any court.
Because the Trump government sent the National Guard to Los Angeles, Newsom sued them in June. Newsom has said that President Trump’s order to send 2,000 Guard troops to stop peaceful and violent protests against his crackdown on immigration is illegal.
Newsom said that Trump was “inciting and provoking violence,” “creating mass chaos,” and “militarizing cities.” He also said that Trump’s actions were “the act of a dictator.” There was a “serious breach of state sovereignty” that led the governor to decide to sue the Trump administration. He also told the president to “return control” to California.
Attorney General of the United States said the egg case is meant to protect American consumers.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the lawsuit against California over egg regulations is the latest step taken by the Justice Department to protect American consumers from unfair business practices and too many rules.
The case was announced by Bondi in a news release. “Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs,” she said. “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.”
California is also being sued by Newsom, Rob Bonta, who is the attorney general of California, and other state leaders.
An article on the social networking site X on July 9 made fun of the lawsuit by Newsom’s press office. It said that President Trump was “back to his favorite hobby: blaming California for literally everything.”
