President Donald J. Trump took a decisive step on December 11, 2025, to ensure that American values guide the future of artificial intelligence. Signing a landmark Executive Order, the President established a unified federal AI regulatory framework aimed at fostering innovation, protecting free enterprise, and safeguarding national leadership in technology.

The policy limits conflicting state-level regulations, creating a clear, predictable framework for AI companies to operate under. By doing so, the administration seeks to avoid a fragmented patchwork of over 100 state bills that could slow research, increase compliance costs, and risk sending innovation overseas.

Senator Ted Cruz praised the move, comparing it to the internet deregulation efforts of the 1990s under President Bill Clinton, which helped propel U.S. economic growth by more than 50%. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Cruz highlighted the strategic importance of preventing AI development from being shaped by “Chinese values of surveillance and centralized control,” emphasizing that the United States must lead with principles of free speech, individual liberty, and respect for the individual.

In the video accompanying the ceremony, Cruz and Trump stressed the need for a unified approach to maintain U.S. competitiveness in AI while protecting core American freedoms. The Executive Order directs federal oversight over AI regulation, ensures consistency across states, and exempts essential child safety protections from preemption.

This landmark policy reinforces the United States’ commitment to technological leadership, economic growth, and ethical governance, sending a clear message that innovation will flourish under American values rather than authoritarian models. By establishing this federal standard, the Trump administration positions the nation to compete effectively on the global stage and prevent foreign powers from defining the future of artificial intelligence.