The Trump administration has drafted an executive order aimed at preventing individual states from creating their own artificial intelligence regulations, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

If implemented, the order would mark the latest escalation in the ongoing debate over AI governance, where policymakers continue to clash over how serious the risks are—and who should have authority to respond.

Under the proposal, President Donald Trump would instruct Attorney General Pam Bondi to form a special task force dedicated to challenging state-level AI laws. The group would contend that state regulations infringe on the federal government’s exclusive power to oversee interstate commerce, along with other legal arguments.

It remains uncertain whether Trump intends to sign the draft order, which was first reported by The Information, or how far along it is in internal review.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Supporters of a national AI regulatory framework—including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and several influential tech investors—argue that blocking state-by-state rules is necessary to prevent a confusing regulatory patchwork that could hinder American AI firms, particularly smaller innovators.

On the other hand, backers of state-level action say federal lawmakers have moved too slowly and that immediate safeguards are needed to address the rapidly evolving risks of AI. Many state advocates emphasize that they would prefer federal oversight, but consider local laws better than continued federal inaction.

The Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit focused on digital rights, criticized the idea almost immediately.

“The president cannot nullify state laws through an executive order—period,” said Travis Hall, the group’s director of state engagement. “Only Congress has the power to preempt state legislation, and it has already considered and rejected doing so.”

In July, the Senate voted 99–1 against Cruz’s proposal to suspend state AI regulations for several years as part of a broader legislative package.

On Tuesday, Trump publicly urged Congress to restrict state AI rulemaking, writing on Truth Social: “We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes.”

Just hours earlier, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., announced plans to insert language into the National Defense Authorization Act that would effectively block states from regulating AI.

Speaking at the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum on Wednesday, Trump again criticized the idea of states individually setting AI rules.

“You can’t deal with 50 different states—you need a single approval,” he said. “Fifty states is a disaster because one overly strict state ends up setting the rules for everyone.”