WASHINGTON, 8 November (H.S.): President Donald Trump on Friday directed the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into major meatpacking companies, accusing them of illicit collusion and price manipulation to artificially inflate the cost of beef for American consumers. The move comes just days after Republican losses in key elections where the rising cost of living was a central issue for voters.

In a social media post, the president announced the probe, stating he would protect American ranchers who he said were being wrongly blamed for price hikes driven by majority foreign-owned meat packers.

I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation, Trump wrote, adding that these actions jeopardize the security of our Nation's food supply.

The directive renews focus on the highly concentrated U.S. meat industry, where four major companies dominate the beef market. Among them is the Brazil-based JBS, the largest beef producer in the United States, which previously agreed to a $52.5 million settlement in 2022 over price-fixing allegations without admitting wrongdoing.

The call for an investigation follows a meeting at the White House between Trump and Republican senators Markwayne Mullin, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Tim Sheehy to discuss volatility in the cattle market.

Record-high beef prices have been attributed to a confluence of factors, including the smallest U.S. cattle herd in decades due to persistent drought and strong consumer demand. President Trump's own tariffs on Brazil, a major beef exporter, have also curbed imports, further squeezing supply.

The announcement signals a continuation of a bipartisan focus on food prices, as the previous Biden administration had also initiated efforts to increase competition within the meat industry.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar