President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 11, 2025 directing the federal government to push back on state-level artificial intelligence rules, arguing that a patchwork of state regulations could slow deployment and complicate compliance for companies operating nationwide. The order instructs the attorney general to form a task force to challenge state AI laws and directs the Commerce Department to identify state regulations that the administration views as problematic.
The order also signals that certain federal funds—including broadband-related grants—could be restricted for states that enact AI laws the administration targets, a provision that has drawn scrutiny over how far the executive branch can go without Congress. Several states, including California, Colorado, Utah, and Texas, have already adopted AI-related requirements ranging from transparency and data limits to measures aimed at discrimination risks, while other states have focused on narrower uses such as deepfakes and government deployment. Legal and political challenges are expected as states and stakeholders debate whether an executive order can effectively preempt state action in this area.
