Trump Moves To Centralize AI Rules, Sparks Fierce State Pushback
By ANDERSON (ANDY) CLIFF
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has signed an executive order barring US states from enforcing their own AI regulations, a decision that intensifies the national battle over who should control the rules governing rapidly advancing technologies. Trump said the move would establish a uniform regulatory system and stop states from creating conflicting standards. “We want one central source of approval,” he stated.
Administration officials argue the order is necessary to protect the country’s AI competitiveness. White House adviser David Sacks said it would prevent “overly burdensome” state rules that could slow innovation, though he noted that regulations protecting children would still be permitted. For major AI developers investing billions of dollars, a single federal rulebook eliminates the complexity of navigating separate state laws—something technology giants have long lobbied for.
But the executive order collided almost instantly with opposition from leading states, particularly California. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the decision, accusing Trump of undermining state authority and acting in self-interest. California recently passed a landmark law requiring major AI firms to develop formal risk-mitigation plans, setting a benchmark many Democrats hoped Congress would follow. Colorado and New York have enacted their own AI rules as well, citing the dangers of unregulated systems in the absence of strong federal oversight.
Critics argue that the Trump directive strips states of the ability to protect their citizens. Julie Scelfo of Mothers Against Media Addiction called it a direct attack on “states’ basic rights to establish sufficient guardrails.” Legal experts warn that unless Congress acts, the executive order may leave a regulatory vacuum—strong on federal control but weak on concrete protections.
Still, some scholars and industry groups say the fragmented state-by-state approach poses real risks. Michael Goodyear of New York Law School noted that conflicting state rules can hinder the AI sector’s growth, though he questioned whether the federal government would now deliver an effective national framework. Tech lobby group NetChoice applauded the order, calling it a step toward “clear, nationwide standards.”
The executive order sets up a high-stakes confrontation over who shapes the future of AI regulation—Washington or the states—at a moment when the technology’s influence on national security, the economy, and everyday life is accelerating faster than ever.
