Gavin Newsom Pushes Back on President Trump's AI Executive Order Seeking to Blocking State Laws.

The ink was barely dry on Donald Trump's artificial intelligence executive order when Gavin Newsom launched a sharp critique. Just hours after the order went public on Thursday evening, the governor released comments arguing that the presidential dictum, which aims to prevent states from regulating AI, promotes “grift and corruption” rather than genuine innovation.

“President Trump and David Sacks aren’t making policy – they are executing a scheme,” Newsom declared, mentioning Trump’s AI adviser. “Every day, they test boundaries to see how far they can take it.”

A Significant Win for Silicon Valley Sets Up a Legal Showdown

Trump’s executive order is seen as a decisive win for tech firms that have actively campaigned against legislative barriers to creating and launching their artificial intelligence systems. Furthermore, it sets up a potential conflict between local authorities and the White House over the future of AI regulation. The immediate backlash from groups including children's welfare groups, 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 directive, arguing that Trump does not have the authority to undermine state legislation on AI and labeling the decree as the result of intense tech industry lobbying. California, the base for many leading tech firms and one of the most active states on AI policy, has become a central locus for pushback against the order.

“This executive order is deeply misguided, grossly unethical, and will ultimately stifle innovation and weaken public trust in the long run,” remarked California Democratic representative, one official. “We are examining every option – including legal and legislative action – to overturn this policy.”

Legislative Loggerheads and Imminent Court Battle

In September, Governor Newsom signed a pioneering artificial intelligence act that would compel developers of large, powerful AI models to provide transparency reports and promptly report critical failures or risk penalties exceeding $1 million. Newsom championed this legislation as a model for regulating AI companies across the country.

“Our state’s status as a global leader in tech provides a unique opportunity to establish a framework for sensible regulations for the entire nation,” Newsom said in an speech. “Especially in the absence of a national regulatory framework.”

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 review local regulations deemed not to “enhance the United States’ global AI dominance” and then pursue legal action or potentially withhold federal broadband funding. Critics contend that the White House has never provided any comprehensive federal framework to supersede the state laws it seeks to block.

“President Trump’s unlawful executive order is simply a blatant attempt to dismantle safeguards and grant powerful executives unchecked power over employment, freedoms and livelihoods,” stated AFL-CIO president, Liz Shuler.

Nationwide Backlash Erupts Across the Spectrum

Within hours the order was signed, criticism grew among lawmakers, union heads, child welfare organizations and civil liberties organizations that decried the policy. State officials argued the executive order was an attack against local autonomy.

“No state understands the potential of artificial intelligence technologies better than California,” said Alex Padilla. “However, this new policy, the White House is undermining state leadership and fundamental protections in one fell swoop.”

Similarly, Adam Schiff emphasized: “The President is seeking to preempt local regulations that are creating vital protections around AI and substituting them with … a void.”

Lawmakers from multiple states also expressed concern over the order. A Virginia representative labeled 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, adding that “a handful of AI oligarchs 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”. A philanthropic tech investor similarly said that “the solution is not overriding local regulations”.

Protecting Children Become a Focal Point

Blowback against the order has extended to groups focused on kids' safety that have long expressed concerns over the impacts of AI on children. This discussion has grown more urgent following multiple lawsuits against AI companies related to harm to children.

“The AI industry’s relentless race for engagement has already led to loss of life, and, in issuing this order, the White House has made clear it is willing to allow it to continue,” argued James Steyer. “Americans deserve better than corporate favors at the cost of their wellbeing.”

A coalition of grieving families and child advocacy organizations have publicly opposed the order. They have been working to pass legislation to safeguard 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 lab rats in big tech’s deadly AI experiment that puts profits over the safety of our kids,” said Sarah Gardner. “We need strong protections at the national and local level, not amnesty for big tech billionaires.”