Gavin Newsom Responds on President Trump's AI Executive Order Aimed at Overriding Local Regulations.

The signature was still fresh on the President's artificial intelligence executive order when Gavin Newsom came out swinging. Shortly following the order went public on Thursday evening, Newsom released comments arguing that the White House order, which seeks to prevent states from crafting their own AI rules, promotes “corruption and self-dealing” instead of genuine innovation.

“The administration and its adviser are not crafting legislation – they’re running a con,” the governor declared, referencing Trump’s AI adviser. “Day after day, they push the limits to see how far they can take it.”

A Major Victory for Silicon Valley Sets Up a Federal-State Clash

Trump’s executive order is viewed as a decisive win for technology companies that have actively campaigned to remove regulatory hurdles to creating and launching their artificial intelligence systems. It also sets up a looming clash between local authorities and the White House over the future of AI regulation. Swift criticism from groups including child safety advocates, unions, and state officials has underscored the highly controversial nature of the order.

A number of leaders and organizations have raised doubts about the legality of the executive order, stating that the President lacks the power to override state legislation on AI and denouncing the decree as the product of intense tech industry lobbying. The state of California, the base for many prominent AI companies and one of the most active states on AI policy, has emerged as a central locus for resistance against the order.

“This directive is profoundly flawed, grossly unethical, and will ultimately stifle progress and weaken public trust in the long run,” said California Democratic representative, one official. “We will explore every option – including legal and legislative action – to overturn this policy.”

Legislative Loggerheads and Imminent Court Battle

Earlier this year, Governor Newsom enacted a landmark AI law that would require developers of large, powerful AI models to disclose safety data and immediately notify authorities of safety incidents or risk penalties up to $1 million. Newsom touted this Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence act as a model for regulating AI companies across the country.

“California's position as a global leader in tech provides a distinct chance to provide a blueprint for well-balanced AI policies beyond our borders,” the governor said in an address. “This is particularly vital given the lack of a comprehensive federal AI policy.”

This September bill and other California legislation could now be in Trump’s crosshairs. Thursday’s executive order calls for an legal review panel that would review local regulations deemed not to “bolster the United States’ global AI dominance” and then initiate lawsuits or threaten to cut federal broadband funding. Critics argue that the administration has failed to deliver any cohesive national plan to replace the local rules it seeks to block.

“This unconstitutional directive is nothing more than a brazen effort to dismantle safeguards and give tech billionaires absolute authority over employment, freedoms and livelihoods,” said a major labor leader, Liz Shuler.

Nationwide Backlash Intensifies From Multiple Quarters

Shortly after the order was signed, opposition loudened among elected officials, union heads, child welfare organizations and rights groups that decried the move. State officials argued the action was an assault on local autonomy.

“No state understands the potential of AI better than California,” said a U.S. Senator. “But with today’s executive order, the White House is undermining state leadership and basic safeguards in one fell swoop.”

Similarly, Adam Schiff stressed: “Trump is seeking to preempt state laws that are creating vital protections around AI and replace them with … a void.”

Officials from multiple states also expressed concern over the order. A Virginia representative labeled it a “disastrous policy” that would “foster a lawless Wild West environment for AI companies”. A New York assemblymember described the directive a “massive windfall” for AI firms, adding that “a handful of AI oligarchs influenced the President into selling out America’s future”.

Remarkably, even a former Trump adviser criticized the policy, reportedly stating that the AI czar had “given poor counsel to the President on preemption”. The head of an investment firm echoed that “the answer does not lie in preempting state and local laws”.

Protecting Children Become a Focal Point

Blowback against the order has extended to groups focused on kids' safety that have repeatedly warned over the impacts of AI on children. The debate has grown more urgent following multiple lawsuits against AI companies related to tragic incidents.

“The AI industry’s relentless race for user attention already has a body count, and, in enacting this policy, the White House has made clear it is content to let it grow,” said the head of a child advocacy group. “The public deserves more than corporate favors at the cost of their wellbeing.”

A group of grieving families and child advocacy organizations have also spoken out the order. They have been advocating for new laws to better protect children from risky online platforms and AI chatbots and issued a PSA opposing the federal override.

“Parents will not roll over and allow our kids to remain test subjects in dangerous corporate trials that puts profits over the safety of our kids,” declared one coalition CEO. “We need robust safeguards at the national and local level, not immunity for wealthy executives.”