Trump Administration Sues California Over Egg Prices, Citing 68.5% Increase

The Trump administration has initiated legal action against the state of California, aiming to invalidate animal welfare laws that it claims have led to a significant increase in egg prices nationwide. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, targets voter-approved initiatives from 2018 and 2008 that mandate all eggs sold in California to come from cage-free hens. The administration argues that these regulations impose excessive regulatory burdens on egg production across the country, given California's substantial role in the national economy.

Brooke Rollins, U.S. Agriculture, emphasized that while California has the right to enact laws within its own borders, it does not have the authority to impose regulations that affect other states in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The administration contends that the federal government has the legal authority to regulate egg production and seeks to permanently block the enforcement of California's regulations stemming from the two ballot measures.

Egg prices surged last year and earlier this year primarily due to bird flu, which has resulted in the destruction of nearly 175 million birds since early 2022. However, prices have recently decreased sharply. The Trump administration attributes this decline to its economic policies, but seasonal factors also play a significant role. Avian influenza, spread by wild birds, tends to peak during spring and fall migrations and subside during the summer.

The California Department of Justice responded by stating that the Trump administration's economic policies have been detrimental and that the lawsuit is a political move. The average national price for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 in April and $4.55 in May after reaching a record $6.23 in March. Despite the decrease, the May price was still 68.5% higher than a year earlier.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office criticized the lawsuit, stating that the Trump administration is blaming California for various issues. The federal complaint alleges that California's regulations forced farmers across the country to adopt more expensive production practices, contributing to the rise in egg prices. The lawsuit seeks to permanently block the enforcement of these regulations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Americans have suffered from liberal policies causing inflation for everyday items like eggs. Under President Trump's leadership, the administration will use federal law to ensure that American families are free from oppressive regulatory burdens and to restore American prosperity. The lawsuit focuses solely on California's egg rules, despite Proposition 12 also banning the sale of pork and veal from animals raised in cages that do not meet minimum size requirements.

Humane World for Animals, which spearheaded the passage of Proposition 12, argues that avian influenza and other factors, not animal welfare laws, drove up egg prices. The organization notes that much of the U.S. egg industry has transitioned to cage-free production due to consumer demand for eggs from hens not confined to tiny spaces. Sara Amundson, president of the Humane World Action Fund, stated that blaming 2025 egg prices on established animal welfare standards shows that the case is about politics, not constitutional law.

The American Egg Board, representing the industry, said it will monitor the lawsuit's progress while continuing to comply with California's laws. The board appreciates the administration's efforts to support farmers in their fight against bird flu and to stabilize the egg supply. The board also noted that egg farmers have been responsive and responsible in meeting the changing demand for cage-free eggs while supporting all types of egg production and providing options for consumers.