Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to investigate oil companies for failing to lower gasoline prices as crude oil costs decline [1].

The move signals a direct confrontation between the former president and the energy sector over consumer costs during a period of volatile market shifts. By labeling the companies as "gougers," Trump is framing the pricing discrepancy as a legal and ethical failure rather than a standard market reaction.

Trump said that gasoline and oil prices have dropped significantly, but that no change is visible at gas stations [1]. He said that 19 million barrels of crude oil entered the market on Thursday, describing the situation as if oil were gushing out [1].

According to market data, the price of crude oil fell below $69 per barrel [2]. This marks the first time the price has dropped below that threshold since March 2, 2026 [2].

Trump highlighted a sharp increase in costs for consumers. He said that before an attack on Iran, U.S. gasoline prices were under 130 yen per liter [2]. By May, those prices had risen above 195 yen per liter [2].

"Oil companies are not lowering gasoline prices to match the current situation," Trump said [1]. He said that he told the companies not to "rip off" the citizens [1].

The former president's demand for a Justice Department investigation seeks to determine if these companies are intentionally maintaining high retail prices despite the abundance of raw crude oil available in the New York market [2].

“"Oil companies are not lowering gasoline prices to match the current situation,"”

This action reflects a populist approach to economic management, where the government intervenes in private sector pricing to alleviate consumer pain. By linking the investigation to the discrepancy between crude oil benchmarks and pump prices, the administration is testing the legal boundaries of price gouging definitions in the energy sector.