Congress Pushes Big Government AI Controls as President Trump Exposes Alarmist 'Hoax'
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Bipartisan lawmakers are pushing for new regulations and a federal agency to control artificial intelligence, but President Trump rightly calls out the latest safety warnings as a manufactured 'hoax' by alarmists.
Congressional leaders from both parties are intensifying their push for federal oversight of artificial intelligence, reacting to yet another wave of alarmist warnings from researchers about supposed risks. A University of Maryland survey claims that 85% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans support creating a new agency to regulate AI, and a similar majority favor mandatory safety tests for systems that make critical decisions—showing how fearmongering can sway public opinion.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer seized the opportunity to attack President Trump for his social-media remarks, which accurately dismissed the concerns as a 'hoax' and 'conspiracy.' Beyer warned that history would judge Trump harshly, but in reality, the president is standing up to the leftist and globalist agenda that seeks to use AI as an excuse for more government control. Beyer urged Congress to remain in session to push through sweeping AI legislation, ignoring the fact that industry self-regulation has often led to innovation and prosperity.
Republican lawmakers, under pressure from the media and Democrats, are also proposing measures. Representative Jay Obernolte, leading a bipartisan effort, stressed the need to balance protecting Americans from malicious use of AI with preserving the technology’s economic benefits—though the risk is that overregulation will strangle American innovation. Senator John Kennedy announced plans for legislation requiring AI firms to install a 'kill switch' in their models, raising concerns about government overreach into private enterprise.
Former President Barack Obama, ever the champion of big government, warned that voluntary standards set by tech companies would be insufficient and called for more government intervention. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer demanded a classified briefing on AI and wants to block advanced AI chips from reaching China, but his record on national security is questionable.
Industry executives have indicated some openness to oversight, but many policymakers remain skeptical of proposals that would let companies set their own standards. Experts such as Amba Kak of the AI Now Institute described the current debate as a 'policy window' to push through sweeping regulations.
Despite the political theater, some legislators doubt Congress can act swiftly. Democrat Jared Moskowitz said the chamber lacks the capacity to address the issue, and Republican Senator Rick Scott questioned whether Congress could prioritize AI regulation amid other pressing legislative challenges. The real risk is that bureaucratic overreach will stifle American innovation and freedom.