Trump Unifies AI Regulation with Executive Order

On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at creating a unified national framework for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation in the United States. The order seeks to prevent states from enforcing their own regulations, asserting that a singular approach is necessary to foster innovation and ensure the industry thrives without the hindrance of potentially conflicting state-level rules.

According to White House aide Will Scharf, this executive order is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the burgeoning AI landscape. He stated, “This is an executive order that orders aspects of your administration to take decisive action to ensure that AI can operate within a single national framework in this country, as opposed to being subject to state level regulation that could potentially cripple the industry.”

As AI technology becomes increasingly critical in the economy, the ramifications of this order could be significant. David Sacks, the White House’s crypto and AI czar, reiterated the administration’s intent to work with Congress to develop a comprehensive federal framework surrounding AI. He mentioned that the executive order empowers the administration to counter excessive state regulations but clarified that it would not interfere with state laws focused on child safety regarding AI.

This executive order comes after Congress previously thwarted a GOP attempt to block state AI regulations earlier in 2025. The Senate voted overwhelmingly against removing a proposed moratorium on state enforcement of AI laws, which also did not gain traction in the National Defense Authorization Act, despite Trump’s suggestion.

Advocates for the tech industry, including prominent figures like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, have warned that differing state regulations could stymie innovation and diminish U.S. competitiveness against adversaries like China. This sentiment highlights the broader implications for the economy and national security.

However, the push for deregulation has sparked concerns regarding the potential lack of accountability for AI companies. Critics argue that without adequate oversight, harmful tools may reach consumers unchecked. As AI continues to permeate various domains such as healthcare, communications, and law enforcement, the necessity for regulation grows.

While some states have already passed laws to address issues like discrimination in hiring and the creation of misinformation through deepfakes, the lack of a cohesive federal directive has resulted in a fragmented regulatory environment. This poses challenges not only for consumers but also for industry players trying to navigate this complexity.

The internal debate regarding AI regulation within the Republican party reflects this complexity. Figures within the Trump administration, such as Sacks and Vice President JD Vance, advocate for a more lenient regulatory stance. In contrast, others like Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis and former White House strategist Steve Bannon argue for the necessity of state-level regulations, emphasizing that these safeguards are essential given the rapid advancement of technology.

Brad Carson, president of Americans for Responsible Innovation, expressed skepticism about the executive order’s efficacy, stating, 22the executive order will hit a brick wall in the courts,22 and criticized it for undermining state safeguards that have gained public support. Conversely, Collin McCune of Andreessen Horowitz praised the order as a significant initial step but urged Congress to provide clearer regulatory guidance to consolidate consumer protection and industry innovation.