Donald Trump signs order blocking states from imposing AI rules, says US needs ‘one central source of approval’

Donald Trump has signed a new executive order refraining states from passing artificial intelligence (AI) regulations which his administration believes could limit US leadership in technology. The order, signed on December 11 also directs the federal government to withhold broadband funding from states whose laws to regulate AI conflict with federal priorities. “We want to have one central source of approval,” Trump told reporters.


“To win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation,” the order said, adding different state laws make compliance more challenging.


“First, State-by-State regulation by definition creates a patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes that makes compliance more challenging, particularly for start-ups. Second, State laws are increasingly responsible for requiring entities to embed ideological bias within models,” the order stated.



“Third, State laws sometimes impermissibly regulate beyond State borders, impinging on interstate commerce,” it added.


The order also targets state-level anti-discrimination rules for AI systems. It says such laws could introduce “ideological bias” and produce inaccurate results. Critics, however, warn that removing state authority may reduce safety protections for users.


The order also reflects the Trump administration's broader attack against anti-discrimination efforts, taking aim at states such as Colorado that have sought to prevent discriminatory language from being embedded in AI models. Such efforts could result in "ideological bias" and produce false results, it said.

AI Litigation Task Force to be established soon

As per the executive order, the Attorney General shall establish an AI Litigation Task Force (Task Force) within 30 days of the order’s date. This task force shall be responsible to challenge State AI laws inconsistent with the policy set forth in section 2 of this order, including on grounds that such laws unconstitutionally regulate interstate commerce, are preempted by existing


The Task Force shall consult from time to time with the Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Counsel to the President regarding the emergence of specific State AI laws that warrant challenge, the order states.