On December 8, 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at preempting state regulations on artificial intelligence (AI), advocating for a unified federal policy. In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the necessity of a single regulatory framework to maintain the United States' competitive edge in the global AI landscape.

This announcement has sparked concerns among academics, safety advocates, and lawmakers across the political spectrum, who fear that such deregulation could increase risks for consumers. Critics argue that the proposed federal policy may allow AI companies to evade accountability for harmful practices, particularly as AI technologies become more integrated into critical sectors such as healthcare and law enforcement.

Currently, several states have enacted their own regulations addressing issues like misleading deepfakes and algorithmic bias in hiring. However, proponents of the federal approach, including leaders from Silicon Valley such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, contend that a patchwork of state laws could hinder innovation and negatively impact the U.S. economy and national security.

The draft executive order aims to establish a national policy framework that reduces regulatory burdens on AI companies. It includes provisions for the U.S. Attorney General to create an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state laws that conflict with the federal approach. Trump reiterated the need for a streamlined approval process for AI companies, asserting that excessive state regulations could stifle technological development.

This initiative follows a previous attempt by Republican lawmakers to prevent states from regulating AI, which was blocked by Congress in July 2025. The Senate had voted to remove a moratorium on state AI regulations from a broader domestic policy bill. Critics of the Trump administration's recent AI action plan have raised concerns that it favors the interests of large tech companies over consumer safety.

Opposition to the executive order has emerged from various quarters, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who described the initiative as "federal government overreach." He argued that removing state jurisdiction over AI regulation would benefit large tech firms at the expense of state-level protections against issues such as online censorship and data privacy violations. Numerous organizations, including labor unions and consumer protection groups, have expressed their disapproval of the proposed federal preemption, highlighting the potential dangers of unregulated AI technologies. Sacha Haworth, Executive Director of The Tech Oversight Project, emphasized the need for regulations that prioritize public welfare over the interests of large technology firms, warning of possible job losses and increased living costs due to unregulated AI practices.

This announcement occurs alongside heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration's military operations, particularly regarding strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Reports indicate that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth may have issued orders resulting in civilian casualties, raising concerns about potential violations of international law. The Senate Armed Services Committee is currently investigating these incidents to ascertain the facts surrounding the military actions taken on September 2, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties. The administration has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its actions were lawful and justified.