Trump’s Push for One National Rulebook on AI: Overriding State Laws

President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order this week that would block states from enforcing their own AI regulations, replacing them with a single federal policy that’s lighter on rules. He made the statement on Truth Social, writing, “There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI” and warning that 50 state approvals would destroy AI “in its infancy.” The New York Times covered the announcement, while CNN Business reported Trump confirmed the move after reviewing a near-final draft. TechCrunch noted the order’s draft calls for an AI Litigation Task Force under the attorney general to challenge state laws in court.

What This Means

The order aims for uniform national AI standards, directing agencies like the FCC and FTC to set overriding rules. States have stepped in where federal action lags—California passed SB 53 for AI safety and transparency, Tennessee’s ELVIS Act guards against AI deepfakes of voices and likenesses, and New York’s RAISE Act tackles related issues. Trump’s EO would preempt these, favoring Silicon Valley’s call for less red tape to keep the US ahead of China, as Reuters reports on industry complaints about disparate regs.

Pros of Federal Preemption

Eliminates a patchwork of 50 state rules, making compliance easier for companies. Trump said companies can’t handle “50 Approvals every time they want to do something,” per Bloomberg.
Boosts innovation and US competitiveness. OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, plus White House AI czar David Sacks, argue state laws slow progress and hurt the economy and national security.
Creates clear national standards. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC some states regulate “within an inch of their lives” and fine heavily, so one set of rules levels the field.

Cons and Criticisms

Safety risks grow without state protections. Critics point to AI causing delusions, suicides from chatbot talks, “AI psychosis,” deepfakes, hiring bias, and kids seeing sexualized content.
Federal overreach on states’ rights. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called it a subsidy to Big Tech that blocks protections against censorship, predatory apps for kids, IP theft, and data center strains on power and water. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Marco Rubio also back states keeping control, sparking GOP infighting per POLITICO.
Broad opposition, including labor groups, safety nonprofits, and over 200 state lawmakers. A bipartisan group of 35+ state attorneys general warned of “disastrous consequences,” and the Senate rejected a similar 10-year moratorium nearly unanimously earlier this year.

Hundreds of groups, from tech unions to educators, signed letters against it, saying it hands control to Big Tech CEOs at the expense of jobs, privacy, and energy costs.