American consumers looking for relief from record prices for beef can thank Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for keeping them high by having a meltdown in the Oval Office.
According to a report from Politico, the exorbitant cost of beef, along with gas prices, has become a central focus of the White House, which is grappling with voter discontent that is central to fears of a Republican wipeout at the polls in November.
The average cost of ground beef on store shelves has increased by roughly 12 percent since last summer and more than 24 percent since Trump took office last year, creating a critical affordability crisis, according to the report.
Top White House officials, including National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have pushed for executive action to lower prices without significantly impacting ranchers. However, Rollins' opposition has blocked their efforts.
One White House official close to the conversations revealed the dramatic nature of Rollins' intervention. "At the last minute [Rollins] went into the Oval and threw a fit," the official told Politico, describing how the Agriculture Secretary derailed the executive order that was set to be announced.
Rollins' rationale was based on not angering American ranchers, Politico reported.
Another person familiar with the discussions indicated that multiple Cabinet-level officials expressed concerns about the executive actions on Monday, suggesting broader internal resistance to the price relief plan.
While the Trump administration's hands are effectively tied on fuel costs due to the Strait of Hormuz standoff with Iran, addressing beef prices through tariff rollbacks was presented as an achievable solution
The USDA declined to comment on private meetings between Trump and Rollins. The White House similarly refused to respond to requests for comment but stated it "continues to explore policy options to lower beef and other grocery prices."