President Donald Trump signed a much-anticipated executive order on Thursday aimed at creating a national regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, while limiting the ability of states to set their own regulations. The order, titled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” establishes an AI litigation task force within the Justice Department to challenge state AI laws that conflict with federal policies. It also instructs the Department of Commerce to develop guidelines that could disqualify states from receiving future broadband funding if they enact so-called “onerous” AI regulations.
The push for federal control over state AI laws has gained momentum from AI investors, conservative think tanks, and tech industry trade associations. These groups argue that inconsistent regulations across states could hinder the growth of AI in Silicon Valley and diminish U.S. competitiveness internationally. David Sacks, the White House AI and crypto adviser, has been a key advocate for a more lenient regulatory approach.
“The EO gives your administration tools to push back on the most onerous and excessive state regulations,” Sacks said during the signing ceremony. “We’re not going to push back on all of them. For example, kids’ safety we’re going to protect.”
The executive order shares similarities with an earlier draft obtained by WIRED but includes a few notable changes. It directs Sacks and Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president for science and technology, to draft a legislative recommendation that would set a federal policy framework for AI. One significant addition is a provision asking Congress not to override state laws that focus on protecting children, enhancing data center infrastructure, and helping state governments procure AI tools.
“We want one central source of approval, and we have great Republican support. I think we probably have Democrat support too, because it’s common sense,” Trump said during the signing event. “Every time you make a change, and it could be a very reasonable change, you still won’t get it approved if you have to go to 50 states. This centralizes it.”
In the absence of federal regulations, state officials have initiated their own inquiries and legislative measures to regulate AI use and development. Trump’s executive order highlights specific state AI laws—such as Colorado’s SB24-205, aimed at limiting “algorithmic discrimination” in AI systems—as efforts to “embed ideological bias.”
Several other state AI regulations may also be affected by this executive order. In September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring large tech companies to publish safety frameworks for their AI models. Similarly, in June, New York’s legislature passed a bill that would allow the state attorney general to impose civil penalties of up to $30 million on AI developers that don’t meet safety standards. This bill is currently awaiting a decision from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who is reportedly considering amendments that could significantly weaken it.
