Trump’s DOJ Meatpacker Investigation Explained—and What Must Happen Next
November 11, 2025 | Source: Farm Action
On November 7, President Trump announced that he had directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate possible price manipulation and unfair practices in the beef industry. The announcement comes as the “Big Four” meatpackers—JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef—use their outsized power to squeeze ranchers and drive up beef prices for Americans.
This investigation is a welcome first step. But if policymakers are serious about standing up to abusive corporate power, they must go beyond an inquiry. Real reform will require strong enforcement to hold these companies accountable and break up the monopoly power controlling America’s cattle and beef markets.