DOJ urges state attorneys general to use “all tools available” to investigate conduct linked to high gasoline prices

President Donald Trump’s Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission have asked state attorneys general to investigate whether unlawful conduct by companies or individuals is contributing to high gasoline prices, according to reporting that cites a DOJ letter and describes the request as a joint effort with federal investigators.

The latest call, described by The Washington Times, urges state attorneys general to coordinate with federal authorities in probing alleged antitrust and consumer-protection violations that regulators say can raise costs for drivers. The administration’s stated emphasis is on the use of state enforcement powers, including consumer-protection and antitrust remedies, where state law allows.

Separate reporting from E and E News by POLITICO said the Department of Justice urged states to “use all tools available” under their states’ laws to investigate and prosecute any misconduct that may be contributing to high prices. The reporting said the DOJ letter also warned that companies and individuals who seek to “unlawfully exploit” the public would face federal investigation, civil liability, and criminal prosecution, reflecting the department’s view that the matter may involve both civil and criminal exposure depending on the facts.

The DOJ request comes amid concerns about gas pricing dynamics after crude and other upstream costs change. E and E News by POLITICO reported that federal investigators are focusing on whether any unlawful conduct can keep gasoline prices elevated even when crude oil prices fall. The reporting framed this as an enforcement issue, not a demand-management issue, with state attorneys general positioned to add additional investigative and litigation capacity under their own statutes.

In parallel, private reporting and other outlets described DOJ’s outreach as a call for states to join a broader federal probe involving oil-company conduct and potential anticompetitive or unfair practices. While the precise targets, alleged conduct types, and any specific state-by-state actions were not detailed in the provided excerpts, the request itself is described as jurisdiction-wide and reliant on each attorney general’s authority.

The next step, according to the reporting, depends on state prosecutors deciding whether to open investigations, issue civil investigative demands, pursue lawsuits, or refer matters for criminal review if the evidence supports it. States would also need to coordinate with federal agencies to avoid duplicative efforts and manage the sharing of evidence and investigative findings consistent with federal-state enforcement practices.

Because the central allegation is based on agency-directed investigative inquiries, the scope of any wrongdoing and any eventual legal outcomes would depend on facts developed through the investigations and any subsequent court proceedings.