Red- And Blue-state AGs Band Together For Antitrust And Consumer Protection

(May 14, 2026) - Elyse D. Echtman of Steptoe LLP examines recent enforcement efforts in antitrust, social media and prediction markets, where state Attorneys General in red and blue states are seeking more stringent consumer protection standards than the federal government.

State Attorneys General possess broad parens patriae power to protect their constituents. Some of that power is exercised in areas traditionally within the states' domain, but much of it overlaps with authority held by the federal government. In 2026, we have seen remarkable clashes between state and federal regulators, where state Attorneys General have stepped in to pursue more rigorous consumer safeguards.

Attorneys General are banding together to flex their muscle through multistate coalitions. They're also filing follow-on lawsuits in their own state courts that capitalize on actions brought by other states.