On Wednesday, the Trump Justice Department filed a lawsuit against California, Governor Gavin Newsom, and Attorney General Rob Bonta, challenging Proposition 12, a 2018 law that imposes strict standards on raising chickens, pigs, and calves for vendors selling in the state.
The suit, announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi, argues that the regulation inflates prices for eggs, poultry, and pork nationwide, stating:
“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 action aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order to combat the “cost-of-living crisis,” reflecting his administration’s focus on reducing economic burdens for American families.
Lawsuit Aims to Lower Food Costs
The lawsuit highlights the significant drop in egg prices under Trump’s leadership, from $8.17 per dozen in March 2025 during a bird flu outbreak to $2.54 by early July.
It contends that Prop 12 undermines the federal Egg Products Inspection Act of 1970 by imposing costly standards that raise pork prices by 20% and egg prices by up to $10 in some cases since 2022.
Bondi emphasized, “Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs. 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 suit seeks to protect farmers and consumers nationwide from California’s regulations.
Activist Influence Behind Prop 12
A report from the Center for the Environment and Welfare reveals that Prop 12, which lacks broad support among Californians, was driven by anti-meat activist groups like Mercy for Animals, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Humane World for Animals, which spent $13 million lobbying for its passage.
These organizations advocate for veganism and broader environmental goals, including disrupting industrial agriculture.
The Center’s “Food Price Fix” campaign, led by Executive Director Jack Hubbard, criticizes the law, with Hubbard stating, “These overreaching laws are a classic example of bad California mandates. Right now, people who have never stepped foot in California are paying the price for Prop 12.” The report underscores the economic impact on farmers and consumers outside California.
National Implications of the Legal Challenge
The Trump administration’s lawsuit argues that Prop 12’s stringent requirements unfairly burden farmers across the U.S., forcing them to comply with costly standards to access California’s market, one of the nation’s largest.
By challenging the regulation, the Justice Department aims to uphold federal authority and stabilize food prices, building on Trump’s success in reducing egg costs.
The suit reflects efforts to ease regulatory pressures on American agriculture, ensuring affordability and accessibility of essential goods.
As the case progresses, it could set a precedent for balancing state regulations with national economic interests, potentially reshaping how agricultural standards are enforced across the country.
