DOJ and FTC urge state AGs to investigate high gas prices—what the July 3 letter says

On July 3, 2026, the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission sent a call to action to state attorneys general, urging investigations into anticompetitive conduct and consumer-protection violations that may be helping keep gasoline prices high—even as crude oil prices are dropping rapidly.

While the agencies frame the message as encouragement (not an order), the practical takeaway is that states have enforcement tools under their own antitrust and consumer-protection laws. The letter also raises whether states should review their own “price gouging” statutes during market disruption or emergency.

What DOJ and the FTC asked state attorneys general to do

The July 3 joint letter urges state law enforcers to “join” federal efforts by investigating “illegal practices” that contribute to high gas prices. It specifically points to concerns such as:

• agreements between competitors to fix prices, rig bids, or allocate markets
• unfair or deceptive practices that harm consumers
• conduct that manipulates retail prices or colludes with competitors, contributing to the withheld price cut Americans may expect when crude costs fall

The letter stresses that crude-oil volatility does not suspend antitrust laws or state consumer-protection laws, and it warns that businesses can’t use market swings as cover for anticompetitive practices, fraud, or other lawlessness that harms Americans.

How “price gouging” fits in—without changing the enforcement focus

In the letter, DOJ and the FTC say they don’t enforce laws aimed specifically at price gouging rather than anticompetitive conduct. But they still encourage states to use the tools available under state law—and to review whether enforcement is warranted under state price-gouging laws during market disruption or emergency.

Where the agencies direct public reporting and tips

The letter also points people to reporting channels if they suspect violations:

• DOJ Antitrust Division Citizen Complaint Center: the letter directs reporting of potential antitrust violations through DOJ’s citizen complaint channels.
• FTC ReportFraud: the letter directs people to report suspected antitrust violations and unfair or deceptive practices to the FTC.
• Whistleblower rewards: the letter highlights the Antitrust Division’s Whistleblower Rewards Program, including that whistleblowers can receive rewards when information leads to criminal penalties of at least $1 million, and urges states to publicize the program.

What to watch next from state AGs and investigators

Over the coming weeks, the most practical indicator of impact will be whether states move from encouragement to investigation activity, such as:

• public announcements that a state antitrust or consumer-protection investigation is underway tied to retail gasoline pricing
• requests for information, subpoenas, civil investigative steps, or enforcement filings
• statements about whether the state is reviewing or using its price-gouging statute during market disruption

Even if enforcement timelines vary, the July 3–July 6 federal push is aimed at building a shared accountability pathway: states are being urged to examine whether market behavior that keeps prices high could also violate antitrust and consumer-protection laws.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Justice (Office of Public Affairs): DOJ + FTC call to action to state attorneys general (July 6, 2026 update)
• E&E News (Politico): Reporting on DOJ call for states to join oil/gas pricing investigation (July 6, 2026)