WASHINGTON, December 11, 2025 – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing federal agencies to block state-level artificial intelligence regulations, seeking to consolidate oversight under a national framework to accelerate U.S. innovation and maintain technological superiority over China.
The order authorizes the U.S. attorney general to challenge and invalidate state AI laws that hinder “United States’ global A.I. dominance .” It also mandates withholding federal funding for broadband and infrastructure projects from non-compliant states.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump decried the existing “confusing patchwork of regulations” across the 50 states. “It’s got to be one source… You can’t go to 50 different sources,” he said, underscoring the need for unified rules to keep pace with global rivals.
The directive endangers dozens of state measures on AI safety, consumer protections, deepfakes, and algorithmic bias enacted in recent years.
It extends Trump’s pro-industry stance, following July actions to curb federal regulations, grant AI firms access to government data, expedite data center approvals, and loosen chip export restrictions.
David Sacks, the administration’s AI and crypto policy lead—a Silicon Valley investor with ties to SpaceX and other ventures—attended the signing and helped shape the policy.
Legal scholars and state officials predict immediate court challenges, arguing that only Congress can preempt state authority under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta labeled the order “an overreach that threatens public safety and innovation,” pledging to defend state laws. Bipartisan opposition from consumer advocates and lawmakers highlights risks to localized protections amid the U.S.-China AI race, where Beijing’s state-driven investments have surged.
The full order is posted on the White House website . For context on prior AI actions, see July executive orders and recent chip export changes .
Tech companies, long advocates for lighter regulation, stand to gain from streamlined compliance. Yet the move could spark prolonged litigation, delaying AI deployment and exposing gaps in federal safeguards.
