Trump Administration Plans Executive Order on AI Regulation
The Trump administration is reportedly drafting an expansive executive order that would instruct the Justice Department to take legal action against states that have implemented their own artificial intelligence regulations, according to documents reviewed by FOX News Digital.
This document, spanning six pages and titled “Eliminate State Law Interference with National AI Policy,” is marked as “deliberation/predecision/draft.” This designation indicates that it remains part of ongoing policy discussions and is not subject to public release under the Freedom of Information Act until a final version is authorized.
According to the draft, there’s a comprehensive plan to centralize AI governance under federal oversight, which could significantly enhance Washington’s authority over the swiftly evolving tech landscape.
The Washington Post was the first to disclose the administration’s plan to direct the Justice Department to challenge state-level AI laws.
White House officials stress, however, that any mention of a possible executive order at this stage is merely speculative until officially confirmed.
President Trump has emphasized that the administration is prioritizing energy and AI capabilities as vital components of its economic and national security agenda.
If this order moves forward, it could represent one of the most significant federal attempts to overrule state regulations concerning technology, possibly testing the boundaries of presidential power.
The proposed order requires the Department of Justice to establish an AI Litigation Task Force within 30 days to contest state laws on AI. Additionally, it instructs the Commerce Department to examine state AI regulations within 90 days and allows withholding of federal broadband infrastructure funds from states that don’t comply.
The plan also requests nationwide regulations from the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to ensure AI transparency, thereby preventing states from imposing their own, potentially tighter regulations.
Interestingly, the draft references California and Colorado as examples of states where “fear-based” AI laws are hindering “American dominance in this new frontier.”
The administration argues that unified national regulations are essential for maintaining the U.S. advantage in AI technology. There’s also a push for the Special Adviser for AI and Cryptocurrency to develop proposals that would solidify this federal framework permanently.
This proposed order follows an earlier unsuccessful attempt in Congress to prohibit all state-level AI regulations through a broad tax and immigration bill. That proposal faltered amid resistance from Senate Republicans who argued for the need for oversight to protect consumers and workers.
AI impacts—especially regarding jobs, children, and the energy sector—have become significant political talking points, with both parties increasingly concerned. Interestingly, while Republicans typically advocate for state rights, this situation marks a notable shift toward increased federal authority.
The Trump administration’s legal initiatives recently targeted several states, like California, New York, and Vermont, concerning climate change and policing laws, which officials claim infringe upon federal authority.
