John,

Let’s talk about Trump’s latest gift to Big Tech, this time in the form of an Executive Order on AI — because whew, it is something.

In plain English? The federal government just told every state and local community:

“Stand down and stand by. Let AI companies do whatever they want.”

Read on to learn more about this ridiculous statement and why it shows just how imperative our work is now more than ever.

Read Trump’s Executive Order on AI

On December 11th, the Trump Administration released an Executive Order (EO) titled “Ensuring A National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence.” In plain terms, it gives tech giants wide latitude to move forward with AI expansion without the transparency communities deserve, especially when they build data centers that strain water supplies, increase pollution, or hide key environmental impacts from the public.

The order even creates an “AI Litigation Task Force” and its main purpose appears to be suing states that try to protect their residents. If a city or state passes laws to strengthen transparency, set basic safeguards for data centers, or protect local water supplies, this task force could move to challenge those protections on behalf of companies driving the harms.

It goes even further. If states do not comply, the Executive Order threatens to pull federal funding. In practice, that means a state could lose support for things like broadband expansion simply for trying to limit pollution or demand clear reporting from tech giants. It is a direct pressure tactic that undermines local authority and makes it harder for communities to set reasonable guardrails around rapidly expanding AI infrastructure.

Despite how extreme this Executive Order is, it actually tells us something important: they’re worried.

This EO only exists because local communities have been winning. People in Memphis, Tucson, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, and so many other places have been standing up and saying: protect our water, follow our clean air laws, and include us in the decisions that shape our future.

If community voices weren’t making an impact, there would be no need for an order designed to silence them.

So the question becomes: what do we do now?

We double down.
We get louder.
We organize smarter and faster.

Because if this administration is willing to go this far to shield powerful AI companies from basic accountability, then the stakes are exactly what communities have been naming. Transparency matters. Clean air and water matter. Public decision-making matters.

So let’s keep building the momentum they are trying to suppress. Join us. Plug in. Take action. Strengthen the movement that no executive order can quiet.

Here are 3 actions you can take NOW to push for transparency, accountability, and sustainability in AI development:

Join Our Green the Grid Movement: Become a member and get involved in our national campaign to support technological innovation that centers justice, democracy, and accountability. We are building a future where AI and data center development respect community health, protect local resources, and uphold the rights of the people every step of the way.

Join the Green the Grid Campaign

Oppose the SANDBOX Act: If passed, the SANDBOX Act would make it legal for tech companies to ignore bedrock environmental laws for up to 10 years. Sign now to stop AI from stealing our water and emitting greenhouse gases without any repercussions.

STOP Unregulated Dirty AI

Support Clean Power in AI Development: If the AI boom can’t be stopped, at least make it green. Support the Clean Cloud Act and promote incentives for AI companies to invest in renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce the utility costs for everyday people.

Support the Clean Cloud Act

The stakes are high, but so is our power when we act together. Let’s move!

In solidarity, 
— The Dream Team