# Trump says AI needs no new guardrails. Then who gets to turn it back on?

> Source: <https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/op-eds/4728793/ai-guardrails-restart-authority/>
> Published: 2026-09-16 12:00:00+00:00

President [Donald Trump](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump) says fears of [artificial intelligence](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) “taking over the World, destroying Humanity” are a hoax. He also says the only guardrail AI needs is a “strong and smart” president, and that the federal government already has “tremendous [criminal](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/crime) and regulatory power” over AI companies.

Take that argument seriously. If Washington does not need a new AI regulator, then the next question is operational rather than philosophical: When an AI system is restricted after an incident, who gets to restore its authority, and on what evidence?

## Stay informed.Stay ahead.

Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.

[See Options](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/subscribe/digital/)

Already a member? [Log in](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sign-in/)

  Already a print subscriber?