WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Friday called on the Justice Department to investigate the meatpacking industry, accusing companies of collusion, price fixing, and manipulation that he says are driving up beef costs.
Trump made the announcement in a social media post on Truth Social, saying that American ranchers were being unfairly “blamed” for rising prices. Attorney General Pam Bondi quickly responded on X, confirming that the DOJ’s antitrust division had launched an investigation.
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The move comes as ground beef prices topped $6 per pound, driven by a tight supply of cattle, drought conditions, and lower imports from Mexico due to herd pests. The Texas Farm Bureau reported that the US cattle herd is at its lowest level in over 70 years, exacerbating cost pressures on consumers.
Trump framed the investigation as a matter of national food security and consumer protection, stating, “We will always protect our American Ranchers” and calling for immediate action to “combat illegal monopolies.” Previously, he suggested importing beef from Argentina to lower costs, a proposal criticized by US cattle associations for undermining domestic ranchers.
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The announcement comes amid political fallout, with inflation and rising food costs contributing to Republican losses in recent elections, prompting Trump to intensify his focus on affordability issues.