Trump Officials Shift Blame to Biden as Screwworm Threat Resurfaces
Trump officials play Biden blame game – Amid growing concerns over the resurgence of New World screwworm in the United States, Trump administration officials have once again turned to a familiar tactic: attributing the spread of the parasitic fly to the policies of former President Joe Biden. The insect, which had been eradicated in the U.S. for over six decades, has recently reemerged, prompting heated political discourse. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has been at the forefront of this narrative, linking the resurgence to what she calls Biden’s “open borders” policies and the resulting influx of livestock from Central America.
The Screwworm’s Return and Its Impact on Agriculture
The New World screwworm, a species of fly known for laying eggs in living flesh, has become a significant threat to the cattle industry. Unlike other flies that target dead animals, this parasite consumes tissue from live hosts, leading to severe damage and even death in livestock. Its reappearance has sparked alarm among ranchers and agricultural officials, with fears of widespread infestation threatening the nation’s beef supply.
Rollins recently emphasized the link between the insect’s spread and the federal government’s approach to immigration. In a social media post, she asserted that the threat to U.S. agriculture was a direct consequence of the Biden-Harris administration’s “weak foreign policy” and “failed immigration policies.” This claim has been echoed in various interviews, where she has accused Biden of enabling the movement of infected animals across borders. “The threat didn’t appear overnight; it was the direct result of the Biden-Harris Admin’s WEAK foreign policy agenda and FAILED immigration policies,” Rollins wrote, framing the issue as a failure of border control.
The Historical Context of Screwworm Eradication
Since the 1960s, the U.S. had successfully contained the New World screwworm through a program involving sterile male flies. This method, which involved releasing genetically modified males into affected regions, ensured that they would mate with wild females, producing offspring that could not reproduce. For decades, this strategy kept the insect population in check, particularly at the southern border where it was once a major problem.
However, the program faced challenges in recent years. The insect barrier, which had been maintained through continuous releases of sterile flies, began to weaken. The Darién Gap—a dense, mountainous rainforest straddling Panama and Colombia—had historically acted as a natural barrier, slowing the spread of the pest. But in 2022, the screwworm overcame this obstacle, leading to an outbreak in Panama and subsequently in Mexico by 2024. This marked a critical turning point, as officials realized the threat was no longer confined to the southern regions.
When Mexican authorities confirmed a case of screwworm in November 2024, the USDA swiftly responded by closing southern ports of entry to live cattle imports. This measure aimed to prevent further spread into the U.S. However, the decision was short-lived. In February 2025, President Trump reversed the closure, citing the need for continued livestock trade despite the growing risk.
Experts Weigh In on the Causes and Consequences
Scientists have offered a more nuanced perspective on the situation. According to Maxwell Scott, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, the breakdown of the border barrier was likely due to a combination of factors, including increased cattle movement and reduced funding for surveillance programs. “We don’t really know why the boundary failed, but it was probably a combination of factors. It’s evidence that there was just an increasing pressure on the border with a large number of cases in Colombia,” Scott explained.
Scott also noted that the sterile fly program may have been less effective over time. “It wasn’t apparent at the time, but it would appear that the strain [of sterile fly] that was being used was losing effectiveness,” he said. This suggests that even with the existing strategy, the insect’s resurgence could have been inevitable without additional measures.
Meanwhile, Sonja Swiger, an entomologist at Texas A&M University, highlighted the rapid spread of the screwworm once it breached the border. “We would see a jump from one country almost to another country, and then even through Mexico, those jumps were 50 to 100 miles apart. Flies don’t travel that far, and neither do the wildlife on their own, especially if they’re being eaten by maggots,” Swiger stated. This indicates that human activity, such as the transport of infested animals, played a crucial role in accelerating the spread.
Political Accountability and Industry Reactions
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) has joined Rollins in blaming Biden for the crisis, suggesting that undocumented immigrants brought the screwworm into the U.S. “This is another thing we can thank Joe Biden for—when millions of people came out of Central America, they brought this screwworm with them. It was on their pets, maybe on their flesh as well,” Marshall claimed during a segment on Newsmax.
The cattle industry, however, has expressed frustration with both administrations. While the Biden team initially took steps to close ports, Trump’s reversal has left ranchers in a precarious position. The decision to reopen borders has raised questions about preparedness and the ability to respond to the insect’s resurgence. “Trump’s reckless and harmful cuts and his administration’s incompetence have left the U.S.’s food supply vulnerable to outbreaks and risk escalating already high prices for beef,” said Kendall Witmer, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee.
Democrats have also criticized the Trump administration for its handling of the issue. They point to the Trump team’s budget reductions, including cuts to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. These reductions, they argue, hindered the government’s capacity to monitor and contain the screwworm threat effectively. “The Trump administration’s failure to invest in critical programs has created a perfect storm for pests like the New World screwworm,” Witmer added, emphasizing the need for sustained funding to address such challenges.
Broader Implications for U.S. Agriculture
The current crisis underscores the delicate balance between immigration policies and agricultural health. While the sterile fly program was a successful method of control, its effectiveness relies on consistent funding and operational support. The interruption of this program, combined with the increased movement of animals, has created conditions for the screwworm to thrive once more.
Experts warn that the situation could worsen if the insect continues to spread northward. The rapid movement of the screwworm, which can travel hundreds of miles in weeks, suggests that the problem is not limited to the southern border. With the current policies in place, there is a risk that the insect could reach the U.S. within months, potentially causing widespread damage to livestock and the economy.
As the debate over responsibility intensifies, the focus remains on how to prevent further infestation. While the Trump administration’s reversal of the port closure has pleased some industry stakeholders, others argue that the decision was premature and undermines efforts to safeguard the nation’s agricultural resources. The situation now hinges on a combination of policy choices, scientific interventions, and the ability to respond quickly to emerging threats.
In the end, the screwworm’s resurgence serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of global and domestic issues. Whether the blame is rightly placed on Biden or Trump, the challenge lies in ensuring that the U.S. remains prepared to tackle such pests in the face of changing border dynamics and political priorities.
