WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the State of California, Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and other state officials, arguing that California’s agricultural regulations unlawfully burden the national production and sale of eggs and poultry products.
The lawsuit claims that California’s laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by imposing additional requirements on out-of-state farmers. Specifically, the state mandates costly compliance standards that prohibit the use of common, nationally accepted egg production methods — a move the DOJ says has contributed to higher prices for consumers across the country.
Federal officials argue that these California regulations conflict with the Egg Products Inspection Act, which sets national standards for the labeling and packaging of eggs and preempts individual state laws that add further restrictions.
“Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “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.”
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate added, “Bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary regulations implemented by the State of California have made the cost of everyday goods, like eggs, less affordable for Americans. This Department of Justice will work to free consumers from this regulatory burden.”
The lawsuit marks another step in the Trump administration’s broader effort to roll back what it describes as harmful regulatory practices. On his first day in office, President Trump directed federal agencies to reduce rules that contribute to rising prices for basic goods, with egg prices often cited as a prime example.
