Trump Takes Bold Stance Against State AI Regulations with New Executive Order

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In a notable move Thursday evening, President Trump signed an executive order establishing a national standard for artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to streamline regulations across the United States and preempt individual state laws. This initiative reflects the administration’s intention to centralize AI governance amid growing global competition, particularly from China.

Discussing the order from the Oval Office, President Trump emphasized the importance of cohesion in AI policy. “We need to be unified. China operates under a single directive with President Xi Jinping. Our system is different, yet it’s effective when we act intelligently,” he remarked, underscoring the necessity for a coordinated approach to AI development and regulation.

The announcement comes at a time of increasing debate on AI’s role and impact, with states like Florida engaging in robust discussions about the technology’s future. The administration’s move seeks to balance these discussions by providing a federal framework that addresses the burgeoning AI landscape.

David Sacks, the White House’s lead on AI and cryptocurrency, accompanied by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), expressed that the executive order equips the federal government with tools to counteract what they consider overly burdensome state regulations. Nonetheless, Sacks clarified that not all state-level AI initiatives would be challenged, noting exceptions for measures aimed at protecting children’s safety.

Trump hinted at the order Monday, arguing in a Truth Social post that there should be “only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI.”

The president initially appeared to be considering an order last month, as House Republican leaders faced pushback amid a renewed effort to pass a measure preempting state AI laws.

A draft order seen by The Hill would have created a task force dedicated to fighting state AI measures in court and restricted federal broadband funding for states whose AI laws are deemed overly burdensome.

GOP leaders reportedly urged the president to hold off, as they sought to include a preemption provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, the issue faced resistance from several Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Sen. Josh Hawley (Mo.) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

It was ultimately not included in the final legislation, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) saying last week that they were “looking at other places” for the measure.

This is the second time that Republicans lawmakers have attempted to include such a provision in key legislation. A 10-year moratorium on state AI laws was included in Trump’s tax and spending bill earlier this year but was ultimately stripped out by the Senate.

The Trump White House and its Silicon Valley allies have argued that preemption is necessary to prevent a patchwork of state AI laws that could disrupt innovation amid fierce competition with China.

However, state lawmakers contend that they are better positioned to regulate the rapidly evolving technology, especially given Congress’s previous struggles to pass legislation on social media and privacy.