‘SINGLE RULE’: Trump vows to issue an executive order preventing states from enacting their own AI regulations, even as both parties express opposition

Trump Proposes Executive Order to Restrict State AI Regulations

Former President Donald Trump announced his intention to sign an executive order this week aimed at curbing individual states from implementing their own rules for artificial intelligence technologies.

On social media, Trump stated, “I will issue a ONE RULE Executive Order this week. It’s unreasonable for companies to seek approval from 50 different states every time they want to innovate.”

He further emphasized, “If we want to maintain our leadership in AI, there must be a single set of regulations. We’re currently ahead of every other nation, but that advantage could vanish if all 50 states—some of which act in bad faith—are involved in setting rules and approvals. AI development could be stifled before it even begins!”

Trump’s remarks follow the recent failure of a Senate initiative to prevent states from regulating AI, as lawmakers could not agree to include the controversial measure in a critical defense spending bill.

States Take Action Amid Federal Inaction

With rapid advancements in AI and limited federal consumer protections, many states have introduced their own legislation. For instance, California has passed SB 53 to promote AI safety and transparency, while Tennessee’s ELVIS Act shields artists from unauthorized AI-generated imitations of their voices and likenesses.

Debate Over State vs. Federal Oversight

Leaders in Silicon Valley, such as OpenAI’s Greg Brockman and former venture capitalist David Sacks—now a White House advisor on AI—argue that a patchwork of state laws would hinder innovation and jeopardize America’s competitive edge against China in AI development.

However, critics of federal preemption point out that the tech industry’s powerful lobbying efforts have long stalled meaningful regulation, and they dispute claims that state-level laws would halt AI progress.

Details of the Proposed Executive Order

A leaked draft of Trump’s executive order reveals plans to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force” to challenge state AI laws in court, instruct federal agencies to review and potentially override state regulations deemed burdensome, and encourage the FCC and FTC to set nationwide standards that would supersede state rules.

The order would also grant David Sacks significant authority over AI policy, bypassing the usual leadership of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, currently led by Michael Kratsios.

Criticism from Lawmakers and States

New York Assembly member Alex Bores, sponsor of the RAISE Act, criticized the move, saying, “AI billionaires are getting exactly what they want from the White House—a huge giveaway that boosts their profits without regard for the risks to our children, safety, or jobs.”

Efforts to limit states’ regulatory powers over AI have faced strong bipartisan opposition in Congress. Earlier this year, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) proposed a decade-long freeze on AI legislation, but it was overwhelmingly rejected in a rare show of unity against unchecked tech industry influence.

The leaked draft of Trump’s order also drew criticism from several Republican officials. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) insisted that states must retain the authority to regulate AI and other matters for their own benefit, emphasizing the importance of federalism. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoed these concerns, opposing any measure that would prevent Florida from enacting protections for its residents, particularly children and families.

DeSantis has also raised concerns about the environmental and employment impacts of data centers, calling them significant drains on resources and potential threats to jobs.

He stated, “AI represents the most profound economic and cultural transformation of our time. Denying citizens the ability to shape these technologies through self-governance is federal overreach and allows tech companies to operate unchecked.”

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) also cautioned Trump against the executive order, urging him to allow states to manage AI regulation to preserve local protections and uphold federalism.

Concerns Over AI’s Societal Impact

Calls for stronger safeguards are not unfounded. There have been reports of suicides linked to extended interactions with AI chatbots, and mental health professionals have observed a rise in what they describe as “AI psychosis.”

Widespread Opposition to Federal Preemption

Last month, a bipartisan group of more than 35 state attorneys general warned Congress that overriding state AI laws could have severe negative consequences. Over 200 state legislators have also signed an open letter opposing federal intervention, arguing that it would hinder progress on AI safety.

This article includes updated comments from New York Assembly member Alex Bores.