SANTA ANA, Calif. — Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D–Santa Ana), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding reports that President Trump intends to release an executive order that would block states from passing AI regulations: 

“Trump’s executive order isn’t bold federal action, it’s federal abandonment of our children’s safety. Parents across the country are begging for real leadership on AI and common-sense regulation to protect our children from unregulated, unsafe AI chatbots. Instead, the Trump Administration is trying to silence the states actually doing the work. There’s no strategy, no understanding, no concern for our kids—just a sweeping shutdown of any state-level protections. 

Make no mistake: this order doesn’t create new protections, it removes them. That’s not governing. That’s a dereliction of duty wrapped in yet another distraction from a fracturing MAGA movement and a President who doesn’t understand the real dangers of rapidly advancing tech.

Even within the GOP, there is recognition that AI demands child-focused protections. Governors like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott have acknowledged the need for AI safeguards in the child-safety space, while Elon Musk has spent years calling for regulation “just as we regulate any product or technology that is a potential risk to the public.”

Donald Trump—whose record on child welfare already raises serious questions—is not only moving to block protections altogether, but he’s also threatening to withhold federal funds because he can’t bully Congress into submission.

Here in California, we won’t stand for this. We will protect our children, our citizens, and our future. If Washington refuses to lead, the states must be allowed to act.”

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 Senator Thomas J. Umberg represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Long Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, and East and South Whittier. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal prosecutor, and small businessman. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.