Gavin Newsom Responds on Trump's AI Executive Order Seeking to Overriding State Laws.

The ink was barely dry on Donald Trump's artificial intelligence executive order when the California governor issued a forceful rebuttal. Just hours after the decree was released on Thursday evening, the governor released comments stating that the White House order, which aims to block local governments from regulating AI, advances “grift and corruption” rather than genuine innovation.

“President Trump and David Sacks are not crafting legislation – they’re running a con,” the governor declared, mentioning the President's technology czar. “Day after day, they test boundaries to see how far they can take it.”

A Major Victory for Tech Industry Sets Up a Federal-State Clash

The presidential directive is seen as a decisive win for technology companies that have actively campaigned against legislative barriers to creating and launching their AI products. It also sets up a looming clash between state governments and the White House over the direction of artificial intelligence governance. Swift criticism from organizations such as child safety advocates, unions, and state officials has highlighted the deeply contentious nature of the order.

Several officials and organizations have raised doubts about the constitutionality of the executive order, stating that Trump lacks the power to undermine state legislation on AI and denouncing the decree as the product of powerful corporate influence. The state of California, home to many prominent AI companies and one of the most active states on AI policy, has emerged as a central locus for pushback against the order.

“This directive is deeply misguided, wildly corrupt, and will actually hinder progress and erode confidence in the long run,” said California Democratic representative, Sara Jacobs. “We will explore all avenues – from the courts to Congress – to overturn this policy.”

A Policy Standoff and Potential Legal Duel

In September, Governor Newsom signed a pioneering artificial intelligence act that would require developers of large, powerful AI models to disclose safety data and immediately notify authorities of critical failures or face fines exceeding $1 million. Newsom touted this Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence act as a blueprint for governing the tech sector nationwide.

“California's position as a global leader in technology provides a unique opportunity to provide a blueprint for well-balanced AI policies for the entire nation,” Newsom said in an speech. “This is particularly vital given the lack of a comprehensive federal AI policy.”

This September bill and other California legislation could now be targeted by the administration. Thursday’s executive order establishes an legal review panel that would scrutinize state laws deemed not to “enhance the United States’ competitive edge” and then initiate lawsuits or threaten to cut government grants. Critics argue that the administration has never provided 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 grant powerful executives unchecked power over working people’s jobs, rights and freedoms,” stated AFL-CIO president, Liz Shuler.

Broad Opposition Erupts Across the Spectrum

Within hours the order was signed, opposition loudened among elected officials, labor leaders, child welfare organizations and rights groups that decried the move. State officials argued the executive order was an attack against state rights.

“No place in America understands the potential of AI better than California,” said Alex Padilla. “But with today’s executive order, the administration is undermining state leadership and fundamental protections in one fell swoop.”

Similarly, Adam Schiff emphasized: “The President is attempting to override state laws that are establishing meaningful safeguards around AI and substituting them with … a void.”

Officials from Colorado to Virginia to New York also took issue with the order. One congressmember called it a “disastrous policy” that would “create a unregulated landscape for AI companies”. Another state legislator described the directive a “massive windfall” for AI firms, stating that “a few powerful executives influenced Donald Trump into compromising America’s future”.

Remarkably, even Steve Bannon found fault with the policy, reportedly stating that the President's adviser had “given poor counsel to the President on preemption”. The head of an investment firm similarly said that “the solution is not preempting state and local laws”.

Child Safety Concerns Take Center Stage

Resistance against the order has extended to groups focused on kids' safety that have long expressed concerns over the impacts 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 user attention has already led to loss of life, and, in enacting this policy, the administration has made clear it is content to let it grow,” said James Steyer. “Americans deserve better than tech industry handouts at the expense of their safety.”

A group of bereaved parents and child advocacy organizations have publicly opposed the order. They have been working to pass legislation to better protect children from harmful social media and AI chatbots and issued a national public service announcement condemning the federal override.

“Families will not roll over and allow our kids to remain test subjects in dangerous corporate trials that puts profits over the wellbeing of children,” declared Sarah Gardner. “It is essential to have strong protections at the federal and state level, not immunity for big tech billionaires.”