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Executive Order Addresses DOJ’s Fight Against Hoarding Activity

 |  March 30, 2020

Rachel Palmer Hooper, Antitrust Advocate

On the afternoon of March 23, 2020, United States Attorney General William Barr participated in the Coronavirus Task Force press briefing. Attorney General Barr revealed that, on March 23, President Trump issued an executive order allowing prosecution of hoarding that threatens the supply of necessary medical and health resources.

Once specific materials are designated as scarce by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), individuals are prohibited from accumulating these items in excess of reasonable personal or business needs or for the purpose of selling these items in excess of prevailing market prices. As a result of this executive order, it is a crime to engage in this prohibited activity.

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