Trump Issues Executive Order Limiting State AI Regulations
The order, signed on Thursday, December 11, 2025, also establishes a federal task force responsible for challenging state-level AI regulations.
At the signing ceremony, President Trump highlighted the economic implications of fragmented state oversight, stating that AI companies are eager to invest in the United States but face obstacles when required to obtain approvals from multiple jurisdictions.
At the signing ceremony, President Trump highlighted the economic implications of fragmented state oversight, stating that AI companies are eager to invest in the United States but face obstacles when required to obtain approvals from multiple jurisdictions.
“If they had to get 50 different approvals from 50 different states, you could forget it,” he remarked.
The executive order, titled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” revives a previously failed Republican effort earlier this year to impose a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws.
The executive order, titled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” revives a previously failed Republican effort earlier this year to impose a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws.
That initiative, which was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was rejected by the Senate following bipartisan opposition.
While Trump’s order lacks the force of legislation, it signals the administration’s intent to centralize control over AI oversight at the federal level.
The order directs the Department of Justice to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force,” whose sole mandate will be to challenge state laws that may restrict AI operations.
The order directs the Department of Justice to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force,” whose sole mandate will be to challenge state laws that may restrict AI operations.
Additionally, federal agencies are instructed to review existing state regulations to ensure AI systems are not required to modify their outputs in ways deemed restrictive by the administration.
States such as California and Colorado are likely to be primary targets. California requires companies to disclose safety testing of new AI models, while Colorado mandates that employers assess risks related to algorithmic discrimination in hiring.
States such as California and Colorado are likely to be primary targets. California requires companies to disclose safety testing of new AI models, while Colorado mandates that employers assess risks related to algorithmic discrimination in hiring.
Critics argue that Trump’s order effectively preempts these efforts, favoring corporate interests over public safeguards.
Silicon Valley and AI companies have welcomed the order, framing it as a victory for innovation and a way to prevent regulatory complexity that could stifle growth.
Silicon Valley and AI companies have welcomed the order, framing it as a victory for innovation and a way to prevent regulatory complexity that could stifle growth.
Proponents argue that a uniform federal framework avoids a patchwork of conflicting state laws and allows AI development to proceed without bureaucratic delays.
However, civil liberties groups and state leaders have voiced strong opposition, warning that the order consolidates power with tech companies while leaving the public, especially vulnerable populations and children, exposed to AI’s potential harms.
However, civil liberties groups and state leaders have voiced strong opposition, warning that the order consolidates power with tech companies while leaving the public, especially vulnerable populations and children, exposed to AI’s potential harms.
“This executive order hands control of one of the most transformative technologies to Big Tech CEOs, at the expense of commonsense protections,” said Teri Olle, Vice President of Economic Security California Action.
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