On December 11, 2025, former President Trump signed an executive order that aimed to set the stage for a national approach to artificial intelligence, because who doesn’t love a little chaos in the tech world? Titled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” this executive order wasn’t your run-of-the-mill bureaucratic fluff. It was a bold move, seeking to create a minimally burdensome national AI policy framework. The goal? To advance innovation and keep the U.S. competitive.
This order operationalized the AI Action Plan from July 2025 and, let’s not forget, it conveniently followed the revocation of Biden’s executive order back in January 2025. Talk about a power play! But don’t be fooled; while it challenges state AI laws, it does so indirectly. States can keep their authority over child safety and data centers, but they might find their hands tied when it comes to interstate commerce.
Enter the AI Litigation Task Force, established by the Attorney General within 30 days of the executive order. This team is set to challenge any state laws that burden interstate commerce or conflict with federal guidelines. Coordinating with White House advisors David Sacks and Michael Kratsios, their operations are set to kick off on January 10, 2026. The focus? To target those pesky laws that don’t play nice with federal policy, especially those with ideological bias mandates.
The AI Litigation Task Force is primed to tackle state laws that clash with federal AI guidelines starting January 10, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Commerce will be busy publishing a review by March 11, 2026. This review will identify state laws that are, let’s say, a bit too onerous and not in line with federal policy. They’ll flag laws that require AI to alter truthful outputs or make unconstitutional disclosures. If a state law is deemed a problem, it gets referred to the Litigation Task Force. The AI Litigation Task Force has been established to challenge state AI laws that conflict with federal regulations and burden interstate commerce.
The FTC is also getting in on the action. By March 11, 2026, they will classify state-mandated bias mitigation as a deceptive trade practice. Who knew AI could be so dramatic?
And here’s the kicker: federal funding conditions will be tied to state AI practices. States that don’t comply with federal standards may find themselves ineligible for certain funds. This framework aims to allow states to maintain their regulations, particularly for child safety. Talk about a financial stick to keep everyone in line!
Reactions have been mixed, with skepticism from lawmakers about state preemption. Businesses are left wondering how to comply with their state laws. Uncertainty is the name of the game now. The shift from Biden’s structured oversight to Trump’s flexible regulation has left many scratching their heads—welcome to the wild world of AI!
