Gavin Newsom Responds on Trump's AI Executive Order Aimed at Blocking State Laws.
The ink was barely dry on Donald Trump's artificial intelligence executive order when Gavin Newsom launched a sharp critique. Shortly following the decree was released on Thursday evening, the governor issued a statement contending that the presidential dictum, which seeks to prevent states from regulating AI, advances “corruption and self-dealing” instead of true technological progress.
“President Trump and David Sacks aren’t making policy – they’re running a con,” Newsom declared, referencing Trump’s AI adviser. “Every day, they push the limits to see how far they can take it.”
A Significant Win for Silicon Valley Sets Up a Federal-State Clash
Trump’s executive order is seen as a decisive win for tech firms that have actively campaigned to remove regulatory hurdles to developing and deploying their artificial intelligence systems. Furthermore, it establishes a potential conflict between local authorities and the federal administration over the future of AI regulation. The immediate backlash from organizations such as child safety advocates, unions, and elected leaders has highlighted the deeply contentious nature of the order.
Several officials and groups have raised doubts about the legality of the directive, arguing that the President does not have the authority to override state legislation on AI and denouncing the decree as the result of intense tech industry lobbying. The state of California, home to many prominent AI companies and one of the most active states on AI policy, has become a primary hub for pushback against the order.
“This directive is profoundly flawed, grossly unethical, and will actually hinder progress and weaken public trust in the long run,” remarked California Democratic representative, Sara Jacobs. “We are examining all avenues – including legal and legislative action – to overturn this policy.”
A Policy Standoff and Imminent Court Battle
Earlier this year, Governor Newsom enacted a landmark AI law that would require developers of large, powerful AI models to provide transparency reports and immediately notify authorities of safety incidents or face fines exceeding $1 million. Newsom championed this legislation as a model for regulating AI companies nationwide.
“California's position as a worldwide innovator in technology allows us a distinct chance to provide a blueprint for well-balanced AI policies beyond our borders,” Newsom stated in an speech. “This is particularly vital given the lack of a national regulatory framework.”
This September bill and other California legislation could now be in Trump’s crosshairs. The new federal directive establishes an legal review panel that would review state laws deemed not to “enhance the United States’ competitive edge” and then initiate lawsuits or potentially withhold government grants. Opponents argue that the White House has failed to deliver any cohesive national plan to replace the local rules it seeks to block.
“President Trump’s unlawful executive order is nothing more than a blatant attempt to upend AI safety and grant powerful executives unchecked power over working people’s jobs, rights and freedoms,” stated AFL-CIO president, one critic.
Nationwide Backlash Intensifies From Multiple Quarters
Within hours the order was signed, criticism grew among elected officials, union heads, child welfare organizations and rights groups that decried the policy. State officials argued the executive order was an assault on local autonomy.
“No place in America knows the promise of artificial intelligence technologies better than California,” said a U.S. Senator. “But with today’s executive order, the White House is undermining local initiative and fundamental protections in one fell swoop.”
Similarly, Adam Schiff stressed: “Trump is seeking to preempt local regulations that are creating vital protections around AI and substituting them with … a void.”
Lawmakers from Colorado to Virginia to New York also took issue with the order. A Virginia representative called it a “terrible idea” that would “create a unregulated landscape for AI companies”. Another state legislator described the directive a “huge giveaway” for AI firms, stating that “a few powerful executives influenced the President into compromising America’s future”.
Remarkably, even a former Trump adviser criticized the policy, reportedly stating that the President's adviser had “given poor counsel to the President on preemption”. The head of an investment firm echoed that “the solution is not overriding local regulations”.
Protecting Children Become a Focal Point
Blowback against the order has extended to child protection organizations that have repeatedly warned over the effects of AI on minors. The debate has grown more urgent following legal actions against AI companies related to tragic incidents.
“The AI industry’s relentless race for engagement has already led to loss of life, and, in issuing this order, the administration has made clear it is content to let it grow,” argued the head of a child advocacy group. “Americans deserve better than tech industry handouts at the cost of their safety.”
A group of grieving families and child advocacy organizations have also spoken out the order. They have been working to pass legislation to better protect children from risky online platforms and AI chatbots and issued a national public service announcement condemning the federal override.
“Parents will not roll over and allow our kids to remain test subjects in big tech’s deadly AI experiment that puts profits over the safety of our kids,” said one coalition CEO. “It is essential to have strong protections at the federal and state level, not amnesty for wealthy executives.”
