Sen. Gounardes: Trump’s Reckless Ban on State AI Safeguards Puts Americans' Safety at Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 11, 2025

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes issued the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning state-level AI regulations:

“This is a reckless, irresponsible move that benefits nobody except Big Tech billionaires. Anyone who’s paying attention knows Republicans have no plan to create a national AI safety standard. Their only goal is to make the oligarchs who control them even wealthier—even if it puts our safety and our future at risk.

“In the face of Republicans’ complete failure to govern, I introduced the RAISE Act to put commonsense safeguards around AI so that it actually makes people’s lives better instead of putting them at risk. It’s not anti-innovation; it makes our country’s AI industry stronger, safer and better for everyone.

“This autocratic executive order makes clear: Trump is bought and sold by Big Tech. Here in New York, we need to fight harder than ever for a future that works for everyone.”

Background:

While AI drives innovation across New York—from healthcare to climate solutions—there is growing consensus among experts that the policy window to address severe risks may close soon. One recent report warned that "the opportunity to establish effective AI governance frameworks may not remain open indefinitely."

The International AI Safety Report—led by a panel of expert advisors from 30 countries—has warned that near-future AI systems may result in “large-scale labour market impacts, AI-enabled hacking or biological attacks, and society losing control over general-purpose AI,” among other potential risks to public safety.

The Responsible AI Safety and Education Act (RAISE) Act (S6953/A6453) requires the largest AI companies to create basic safety and security protocols for severe risks such as assisting in the creation of bioweapons or carrying out automated criminal activity. The bill has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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