Trump plans to issue an executive order to prevent states from enacting AI regulatory laws, sparking controversy over safety and governance.

President Trump recently confirmed that he will sign an executive order seeking to replace state-level or planned AI regulations with more relaxed federal policies. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the United States must maintain “uniform rules,” warning that otherwise America’s leading position in the global AI race could be undermined. He argued that if all 50 states set their own standards, “artificial intelligence will be strangled in its infancy.”

This plan quickly sparked concerns among safety organizations, academics, and bipartisan state lawmakers. In recent months, as AI technology has permeated daily life—including healthcare, policing, recruitment, content generation, and communications—states have gradually enacted laws to restrict deepfakes and curb algorithmic discrimination. In the absence of comprehensive federal legislation, state-level regulation has been seen as a vital way to address gaps in AI safety.

Critics argue that Trump’s executive order could weaken oversight, allow big tech companies to evade responsibility, and make it harder to address AI risks in a timely manner, such as harmful recommendations, children’s exposure to inappropriate content, algorithmic bias, privacy violations, and the spread of misinformation. Supporters—including Silicon Valley leaders like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—contend that fragmented state regulations stifle innovation, slow America’s progress in the global AI race, and negatively impact national security and economic advantage.

According to a draft disclosed by CNN, the executive order would direct the U.S. Attorney General to establish an “AI Litigation Working Group” to challenge state laws and replace them with a unified federal framework. The Trump administration’s core position is to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses and accelerate AI development through a single set of rules.

However, opposition is mounting. Hundreds of groups—including tech worker unions, consumer protection organizations, and educational institutions—have jointly sent letters to Congress, warning that banning state regulation could lead to mass unemployment, monopolistic pricing, and surging energy consumption. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called the move an “overreach of federal power” that would strip states of their ability to protect their citizens.

As the draft nears its final version, political and industry battles over AI regulatory authority in the U.S. are heating up. The future regulatory model could affect the country’s competitiveness, security, and social impact in the field of artificial intelligence.