The Trump administration is escalating its campaign against high gasoline prices by formally enlisting state attorneys general. In a letter sent Friday, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission urged state regulators to partner in investigating potential price-gouging at the pump, according to CBS News. The move comes just over a week after President Donald Trump ordered the DOJ to probe the issue, signaling a coordinated federal-state push.
Regulators warned that oil market volatility does not excuse anticompetitive behavior. The letter, seen by CBS News, emphasizes that the DOJ and FTC are actively pursuing enforcement against any illegal conduct that drives up fuel costs. This signals growing federal concern over retail gasoline pricing, even as crude oil markets have fluctuated in recent months.
No specific instances of price-gouging have been cited by the DOJ or FTC in the communication. The request focuses on broad cooperation rather than targeting any particular company or region. It remains unclear which states have agreed to participate or what enforcement actions may follow.
The effort injects federal oversight into retail fuel markets, which are typically regulated at the state level. While price-gouging laws vary by jurisdiction, a joint state-federal probe could increase legal risks for gas station operators and refiners. Critics argue that high prices often reflect broader supply constraints rather than market manipulation.
Industry groups have pushed back against the investigation, cautioning that regulatory pressure could chill competition or lead to supply disruptions. They maintain that gasoline margins remain thin and that the probe risks punishing legitimate pricing responses to volatile input costs.