Trump Administration Shifts to AI Regulation as New Models Outpace Government Oversight

From Deregulation to Gatekeeping: Trump’s AI Policy Reversal

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump moved to deregulate artificial intelligence, aiming to remove government constraints on the technology. Fifteen months later, his administration is preparing to become the gatekeeper for the most powerful AI models in the world.

Why This Shift Matters: AI’s Rapid Advancements Force Government Action

AI has reached a critical threshold where even an administration committed to minimal regulation cannot afford to stay out of the equation. The breakthroughs in AI capabilities—particularly in cybersecurity—have accelerated changes in both Silicon Valley and Washington.

Models like Anthropic’s Mythos, which was withheld from public use due to safety concerns, and OpenAI’s GPT-5.5, which now matches its capabilities, have triggered alarm. Chinese labs are also racing to keep pace, ensuring this issue will not fade.

The Intrigue: Pentagon Blacklist vs. White House Reversal

Just two months ago, the Pentagon declared Anthropic a “supply chain risk” and effectively blacklisted the company. Now, the White House is developing guidance that would allow federal agencies to bypass this designation and adopt new Anthropic models, according to a report by Axios’ Maria Curi and Ashley Gold.

White House Weighs Executive Order for AI Model Vetting

The Trump administration is considering an executive order that would formalize the federal government’s role in vetting all new AI models before they reach the market, the New York Times reports.

The proposed order would establish a working group of tech executives and U.S. officials to design an oversight process. Options include a formal government review of new AI models before their release.

Last week, White House officials briefed executives from Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI on early plans for this framework.

Potential Oversight Models: First Access Without Blocking Release

Some officials are advocating for a system that would give the government first access to new AI models but would not block their release, according to the Times.

A White House official stated that any policy announcement “will come directly from the president” and that discussions about “potential executive orders are speculation.”

AI Security Framework Under Development

In parallel, the White House’s cyber office is crafting an AI security framework that would require the Pentagon to safety-test AI models before deployment by federal, state, and local governments, Axios’ Sam Sabin and Ashley Gold report.

Behind the Scenes: AI Labs Cooperate with White House Efforts

Sources at top AI companies tell Axios they are cooperating with the White House’s new initiative. The Trump administration recognizes the rapid advancements in AI capabilities, while the labs acknowledge the need to partner with the government to avoid stricter regulations.

According to sources involved in the discussions, the White House push—spanning the West Wing and the National Security Council—could result in an agreement within weeks.

The leading labs aim to collaborate with the government to expedite the deployment of cyber defensive tools to cyber defenders.

The Big Picture: Trump Administration Dismantles Biden’s AI Safety Efforts

The Trump administration spent its first year dismantling key AI safety initiatives established by the Biden administration.

• On Day 1, President Trump rescinded President Biden’s AI executive order, which had required developers to perform safety evaluations and report on models with potential military applications.
• Weeks later, Vice President JD Vance stated at the AI Action Summit in Paris that the administration would take a “hands-off approach” to AI regulation.

However, the rapid evolution of AI models has forced a dramatic policy shift, pushing the administration toward increased oversight and control.