The Trump Administration Is Divided on AI Regulation Issues

The Trump administration is grappling with internal discord as officials seek to determine whether they can revive the executive order on AI regulation that President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled last month, according to several sources close to the discussions.

The dialogues over the past few weeks have been perceived as disorganized by both key tech figures in Silicon Valley and administration officials. Some AI leaders have privately conveyed to WIRED that they are uncertain about the requirements of a revised executive order, or if one will be finalized at all.

On May 21, Trump called off a scheduled signing ceremony for the order just hours before it was set to occur. He informed reporters that it could inhibit domestic competition and diminish the United States’ current edge over China in the AI landscape.

The most controversial part of the rescinded executive order involved a provision that would establish a voluntary framework allowing AI labs such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google to provide the White House with early access to AI models before their public launch for cybersecurity evaluations.

Essentially, the push for regulation illustrates a growing awareness within the White House that AI is increasingly seen as a national security issue, particularly with the abilities of Anthropic’s Mythos and OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 models, which are adept at identifying vulnerabilities in outdated software systems. This effort indicates a shift in the administration’s stance, which initially resisted regulatory measures for AI.

The draft executive order also proposed that AI labs could submit models up to 90 days in advance of public release, although several AI executives have indicated to WIRED that their organizations might not be ready to share models that early. Some AI leaders and aides remain optimistic that a revised executive order could resurface, retaining some of its less controversial elements.

The potential revival of an AI executive order hinges significantly on top White House officials’ ability to unify competing factions, according to aides from various agencies involved in the discussions.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has taken the helm of a team of senior officials advocating for the resurrection of the executive order, a group that includes Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, a former Republican operative, according to aides.

Bessent has emerged as a key player in shaping AI policy within the administration. Recently, he has convened with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and other AI executives to outline a path forward, aides report. He is also anticipated to take a prominent role in negotiating international AI regulations with China.

Trump’s influential former AI czar David Sacks opposes Wiles’ position. Sacks warned Trump that the executive order would impose excessive burdens and successfully urged him to scrap the signing just hours before it was scheduled. Politico previously covered the dynamic between Sacks and Wiles.

In a post on X last week, Sacks stated, “President Trump understands that unnecessary regulation is the biggest threat to innovation in America. Winning the AI race means not only beating China but also clearing bureaucratic hurdles thrown up by state legislatures and woke politicians in DC.”

However, the most significant obstacle to reinvigorating regulatory discussions may be Trump himself, aides have indicated. “Resolving the internal conflicts only matters if it leads Trump to say yes,” one administration official remarked confidentially to discuss sensitive matters.

In a statement, White House spokesperson Liz Huston said the administration is working to find the best balance for AI regulation. “The President’s team is united in executing his bold agenda and maintaining this critical balance,” Huston stated.