President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday he plans to sign an executive order that would override state artificial intelligence regulations. The order would replace state rules with a single federal policy. Trump said the country needs one rulebook to maintain its lead in AI development.
Federal Policy Over State Laws
Trump wrote on Truth Social that 50 states should not each create their own AI rules. He said companies cannot get 50 approvals every time they want to launch something new. He warned that multiple state regulations could destroy AI innovation in its early stages.
According to CNN, the draft order closely mirrors arguments from Silicon Valley leaders. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and others say a patchwork of state laws could slow innovation. They argue this would hurt American competitiveness in the global AI race.
The draft order directs the US attorney general to establish an AI Litigation Task Force. This group would challenge state AI laws and replace them with federal policy. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC that Trump reviewed a near-final draft over the weekend.
Safety Concerns and Pushback
Bipartisan Opposition Grows
State lawmakers and safety advocates from both parties oppose the plan. They worry that less strict federal rules could let AI companies avoid accountability when their tools harm users. Some states have already passed laws to address risky AI uses, such as misleading deepfakes and hiring discrimination.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the effort federal government overreach. He said blocking state jurisdiction over AI regulation is a subsidy to Big Tech. He warned it would prevent states from protecting against online censorship and predatory apps that target children.
Hundreds of organizations signed letters to Congress last month opposing the preemption plan. These groups include tech employee unions, consumer protection nonprofits, and educational institutions. They raised alarms about AI causing delusions, contributing to self-harm, and exposing children to adult material.
Congress killed a similar Republican attempt in July. The US Senate voted to remove a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation enforcement from Trump’s domestic policy bill. The Trump administration later released an AI action plan focused on scaling back regulation to promote competitiveness.
