Trump could sign executive order on AI security today, per Washington Post

President Trump may sign a new executive order focused on AI security as early as today, according to the Washington Post. The move would represent the latest in a string of AI-related directives from an administration that has spent much of 2025 positioning the US as the global leader in artificial intelligence, though previous orders have leaned more toward removing regulatory barriers than tightening security frameworks.

A year of AI executive orders

On January 23, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence.” The administration’s posture has consistently been that the previous regulatory approach was too cautious, and that the US risked falling behind China if it didn’t loosen the reins.

Then came the December 11 executive order, “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” which went significantly further in establishing federal dominance over AI governance. That order created an AI Litigation Task Force specifically designed to challenge state-level regulations that conflict with federal AI policies.

The December order also tied $42 billion in conditional federal funding to states repealing AI regulations deemed overly restrictive or in conflict with federal directives. Additionally, the Commerce Secretary was given a mandate to review state AI laws by March 11, 2026, with a particular focus on regulations affecting truthful outputs and First Amendment rights.

Where AI meets crypto

David Sacks, the venture capitalist and former PayPal executive, was appointed as Special Advisor for AI and Crypto. That dual mandate is not an accident. The administration clearly views artificial intelligence and digital assets as overlapping domains that require coordinated policy direction. Sacks has been tasked with crafting federal AI policy recommendations.

What this means for investors

For crypto investors specifically, the key question is scope. A narrowly tailored order focused on national security applications of AI would have minimal market impact. A broader order that touches commercial AI systems, data handling requirements, or security standards for AI-powered financial tools could ripple through the DeFi and AI token sectors.

Investors should watch for the specific language around compliance timelines and enforcement mechanisms. An AI security order with actual teeth—mandatory audits, security certifications, or liability frameworks—would be a different animal altogether.

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