Hannah Truxell
The DOJ’s attempt to overturn Proposition 12 has been dismissed. Here’s why the judge ruled the government lacked standing, what this means for hens, and how this ruling fits into the broader effort to protect animals from the worst forms of confinement.
One of the strongest animal protection laws in the country (and arguably the world) faced a new federal challenge—but the case was dismissed before the judge could even rule on the merits.
On March 18, 2026, Trump appointee US District Court Judge Mark C. Scarsi dismissed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) challenge to California’s Proposition 12, a case brought by the Trump administration against a law widely considered the strongest animal protection measure in the world.
This means that, for now, Proposition 12 stays in full effect. Hens in California—and those producing eggs for the California market—remain protected by the standards voters chose. This is a massive win for the rule of law and a vital reprieve for the millions of animals who would otherwise be condemned to life in a cage.
A political attack against animals
Prop 12 was voted into law by California voters in 2018 to protect animals from some of the most extreme forms of confinement in our food system. Since then, it’s weathered numerous attacks. But unlike previous challenges brought by industry groups like the North American Meat Institute or the Iowa Pork Producers Association, this was a direct federal attack spearheaded by the Trump administration.
“Americans across the country have suffered the consequences of liberal policies causing massive inflation for everyday items like eggs,” said former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate echoed her, saying, “Bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary regulations implemented by the State of California have made the cost of everyday goods, like eggs, less affordable for Americans.”
The DOJ’s attempt to frame voter-approved laws as the culprit for high egg prices is not only legally flimsy—it’s factually incorrect. When it comes to price fluctuations, experts have pointed to devastating outbreaks of avian influenza, which decimated poultry flocks across the US and caused severe market shortages. By ignoring the biological and scientific reality of avian flu, the administration is attempting to use animal welfare protections as a scapegoat for broader economic trends.
No standing
While the Trump administration’s DOJ suit is attempting to dismantle vital animal protections, the district court ruled that the federal government did not sufficiently demonstrate that it had standing to bring its case at all.
The dismissal centered on a fundamental legal requirement: standing. To bring a lawsuit, a plaintiff—in this case the United States federal government—must prove it has suffered a concrete, real injury that a court ruling can do something to fix. Judge Scarsi ruled that the United States government failed to prove this.
In other words, the court didn’t rule on whether Prop 12 is lawful—we already know it is, and so does the Supreme Court. Instead, Judge Scarsi told the DOJ that it hadn't even cleared the first hurdle required to bring a case to trial.
What’s next for animals?
At the heart of this legal jargon are millions of living, breathing animals. When Prop 12 was fully implemented in 2022, Vox reported that it would affect “nearly a million pigs and 40 million egg-laying hens each year.”
Prop 12 ensures that egg-laying hens have the space to engage in natural behaviors—to stand up, lie down, turn around, and spread their wings. These are basic, common-sense conditions that reduce extreme suffering. When the DOJ attacks these laws, it isn’t attacking “unnecessary red tape”; it’s trying to condemn millions of animals back to a life of darkness and extreme confinement in crates and cages.
Unfortunately, the fight isn’t over. Judge Scarsi has given the DOJ an opportunity to amend its complaint and try for another argument. While we celebrate this victory, we remain vigilant as the government attempts to find a new way to justify its attack.
We can’t control what happens in a judge’s chambers, but we can fight to stop the ongoing legislative attacks on Prop 12 in Congress. Tell your legislators to reject any Farm Bill that includes provisions to destroy state animal protection laws. Together, we will continue to defend laws like Prop 12—in the courts and on Capitol Hill—until every animal is free from the cruelty of cages.
