WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to address a wave of state and local legislation proposed nationwide to regulate AI. In 2025, more than 1,100 state-level bills targeting AI design and application were introduced, and nearly a quarter originated from four states: New York, California, Colorado, and Illinois. These states have a long history of pushing aggressive and often burdensome tech regulations, and the Consumer Choice Center applauds the administration’s proactive step to balance state and federal imperatives in technological development.
James Czerniawski, Head of Emerging Tech, reacted to the order, “Far too many consumer advocacy groups take the default position of shutting down anything new, but our focus is on expanding choice in the market, and allowing four politically homogenous states to set standards that ripple outward to all 50 states is antithetical to that mission.”
The question of federal preemption has been a hotly contested topic in AI policy. Despite numerous hearings and roundtables, Congress has not yet reached a consensus on a national framework that would provide durable guidance for AI development and deployment. The result is a regulatory limbo that NY and CA can easily fill, and in so doing, steer the nation’s efforts and limit the effectiveness of AI developers working to stay ahead and produce consumer-focused products.
Czerniawski continued, “The order instructs the Attorney General to create an AI litigation task force to challenge state laws that undermine national technological imperatives around AI, and also taps the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission to challenge where necessary.
Ultimately, executive orders are, by design, limited. They can steer agencies and shape enforcement priorities, but they cannot create the stable, long-term framework the country needs.”
As the Trump Administration increases pressure on European allies to step up support for Western leadership in technology, the executive order can be seen as an effort to mitigate the “Brussels Effect,” as outlined by the Consumer Choice Center in a piece for The National Interest.
Czerniawski concluded, “The world needs an alternative AI vision to the overly cautious and stagnant posture of the EU. The United States is uniquely positioned to offer that model, but only if Congress fills its role and acts. The President’s EO is a welcome development, but it is ultimately a bridge. Now lawmakers must finish the job.”
Catch James Czerniawski speaking about AI preemption on the Tony Katz Show
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The Consumer Choice Center is an independent, nonpartisan consumer advocacy group championing the benefits of freedom of choice, innovation, and abundance in everyday life for consumers in over 100 countries. We closely monitor regulatory trends in Washington, Brussels, Ottawa, Brasilia, London, and Geneva.
Find out more at consumerchoicecenter.org
