Get ready for a federal power play—President Trump is set to slam the brakes on state interference in artificial intelligence.

On Monday, Trump announced he’ll sign an executive order this week to block states from creating their own AI regulations, opting instead for a cohesive set of national guidelines to shape America’s AI landscape, The Washington Times reported. 

His reasoning hits hard: a tangle of state-by-state rules could undermine U.S. leadership in AI and burden businesses with impossible compliance demands.

Trump’s Push for Unified AI Policy

The upcoming order will launch an AI Litigation Task Force dedicated to striking down state AI laws and enforcing federal dominance in this arena.

Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the task force, which will contest state regulations on bases like disrupting interstate commerce or contradicting federal statutes.

On another front, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will inform states with opposing AI laws that they could forfeit access to federal tech funding, including chunks of the $42 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program.

AI’s Growing Reach Sparks Concern

AI’s footprint is expanding fast, touching everything from personal communication to healthcare and policing, yet oversight remains alarmingly sparse.

With federal rules lagging, several states have stepped up, enacting measures to combat AI risks like deepfakes or discriminatory hiring algorithms.

Critics warn that without solid checks, tech companies might escape responsibility for damages caused by unchecked AI systems.

Tech Titans and State Leaders Clash

Some industry leaders, like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, back Trump’s stance, arguing that fragmented state laws hinder innovation and weaken America’s global edge.

But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t buying it, blasting the move as federal overreach that cripples states’ ability to guard against AI-driven harms like online censorship.

DeSantis stated, “Stripping states of jurisdiction to regulate AI is a subsidy to Big Tech and will prevent states from protecting against online censorship of political speech, predatory applications that target children, violations of intellectual property rights and data center intrusions on power/water resources.”

Political Pushback and Big Tech Allegations

Sen. Ed Markey has also weighed in, criticizing Republicans for attempting to bury an AI regulation moratorium in a defense bill while accusing Trump of favoring industry elites.

Markey posted on X that Republicans are “trying to sneak their AI regulation moratorium into the defense bill” and claimed Trump sides “with his billionaire Big Tech buddies.” Sure, Senator, innovation needs champions, but let’s not ignore that tech giants don’t always prioritize the little guy.

While Trump recently hosted AI industry bigwigs like Elon Musk and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang at a White House dinner, the debate rages on whether this federal push truly serves national interest or just pads corporate pockets.