Conservative coalition challenges White House approach to AI regulation (REUTERS/Daniel Cole)
A coalition of more than 60 conservative allies is urging President Donald Trump to require mandatory testing and government approval for the most powerful artificial intelligence systems before they are released to the public.
The letter was organized by Humans First, a conservative group that argues technology should serve people rather than replace them. It was signed by several well-known figures in conservative politics, including Trump ally Steve Bannon, activist Amy Kremer, and strategist Brendan Steinhauser, according to Axios.
The demand puts a vocal MAGA-aligned faction at odds with the White House’s current approach to AI regulation, which has largely favored a lighter regulatory framework.
“This letter takes us next level,” Bannon told Axios. “The letter lays out [that] we must have mandatory testing and government approval.”
Bannon, who hosts the influential “War Room” podcast, has repeatedly warned his audience about the possible impact of artificial intelligence on American workers. Over the past year, he has raised concerns that rapid AI development could threaten jobs, national security, and public safety if left largely in the hands of technology companies.
The letter focuses on what are often described as frontier AI systems, meaning the most advanced and potentially powerful forms of artificial intelligence. Its signatories argue that such systems should not be released without strict oversight because of the risks they may pose.
“The most powerful AI systems, which can now, or soon will be able to, assist in designing bioweapons, breaking into critical infrastructure, or manipulating financial markets, should be treated with the same seriousness and care,” the letter states. “For this reason, we support proposed policies that require mandatory testing, evaluation, vetting, and government approval of potentially dangerous frontier AI systems before they are deployed.”
The coalition also criticized AI industry leaders, accusing unnamed “unelected elites” of moving too quickly without enough safeguards. The letter frames stricter regulation not as a liberal policy goal, but as an “America First” position focused on protecting citizens, workers and national security.
“America did not become the greatest nation in the world by allowing unelected elites to experiment on the public without safeguards or accountability,” the letter states. “America First means American strength, American security, and the protection of our people first.”
The position marks a significant divide within conservative circles over how the federal government should respond to artificial intelligence. While many Republicans have opposed broad regulation of emerging technology, some Trump-aligned figures are now arguing that powerful AI systems require closer federal control before deployment.
The White House, however, has so far supported a more limited regulatory approach. Officials have moved to roll back several state-level AI laws, and even those open to AI testing and evaluation have not endorsed a formal government approval process.
The letter suggests that pressure is building within parts of the conservative movement for a stronger federal role in overseeing AI, especially as concerns grow over job losses, security threats and the influence of major technology companies.
