In anticipation of a widely expected executive order from the Trump Administration that would establish a single national standard for artificial intelligence (AI), a bipartisan group of 36 state attorneys general (AGs) sent a letter to congressional leaders opposing any federal preemption of state AI regulations.
The AGs contend that broad preemption would limit states’ ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging risks posed by AI, and instead urge federal lawmakers to collaborate with states on well-designed rules.
The Trump Administration argues that a uniform federal standard is needed to prevent a patchwork of 50 different state laws from stifling innovation. The forthcoming executive order marks the latest effort by the Trump administration, which for months has pushed Congress to adopt a national, preemptive AI framework. Its most recent attempt, adding such language to the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, a “must-pass” bill governing Defense Department programs, lost key support last week.
