Political blame game follows as screwworm parasite threatens cattle in Texas
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-06-12 16:38:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Administration Faces Scrutiny Over Screwworm Outbreak and USDA Cuts
A new outbreak of the devastating New World screwworm in Texas and New Mexico has reignited a political battle over responsibility for the parasite’s return to the United States after six decades. As U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins oversees a billion-dollar response to contain the pest, the debate has focused on whether the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) contributed to the crisis.
Democrats Point to Trump-Era Cuts
Democratic leaders have directly blamed spending reductions under President Donald Trump for weakening the USDA’s ability to prevent and respond to livestock threats like the screwworm. According to a letter from nearly a dozen Democratic senators, nearly 20% of U.S. counties that began 2025 with at least one federal Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service employee ended the year with none, raising concerns about food inspections and livestock safety.
U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu of California criticized attempts to shift blame to the Biden administration, stating, “The Trump administration has been in office for over 500 days. This is on the Trump administration. They need to own up to it, and they need to apologize.”
Rollins Defends Trump, Blames Biden and Immigration
In contrast, Rollins, who was appointed to lead the USDA by Trump, has repeatedly asserted that the Biden administration is responsible for the screwworm’s return. She also suggested, without evidence, that the flies may have traveled with animals brought north by immigrants or through illicit cattle traffic managed by Mexican cartels. “People moving north to America, bringing their livestock with them, the Mexican cartels with the illicit cattle traffic, we knew it was coming,” Rollins told the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.
Fact-Checking the Claims
The excerpt makes clear that scientists are unsure how the screwworms reemerged in the U.S., with experts cautioning against speculation. There is no direct evidence provided that links the outbreak to immigration or cartel activity, as Rollins suggested. Instead, experts note that climate change and the parasite’s biology—thriving in hot, humid weather—are significant factors in its spread.
Meanwhile, the impact of USDA staffing cuts is documented, with a notable reduction in federal employees dedicated to animal and plant health. This supports the Democratic argument that the Trump administration’s budget decisions may have left the agency less prepared to respond to such outbreaks.
Conclusion
The screwworm crisis has become a flashpoint for partisan blame, with the Trump administration’s record on USDA funding under scrutiny. While Rollins and other Trump appointees have sought to deflect responsibility, the facts presented in the excerpt highlight a lack of evidence for their claims and underscore the potential consequences of agency cuts. As the USDA mounts a billion-dollar response, the debate over accountability and preparedness remains central to the story.