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Trump’s AI strategy will defeat America before China even tries

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have signaled a preference for private-sector responsibility over federal AI regulation, with Johnson stating Congress will not lead the charge on regulating AI safety and warning that strict restrictions could cede technological dominance to adversaries. The op-ed argues this "educate, don't legislate" approach will defeat America before China even tries.

by read1 min views1 publishedSep 19, 2026
Trump’s AI strategy will defeat America before China even tries
Image: Washingtonexaminer (auto-discovered)

When I served as the elected county commissioner president, a familiar phrase echoed through local government whenever new regulations were proposed: “Educate, don’t legislate.” It is a philosophy rooted in a healthy distrust of top-down mandates. It builds on the belief that informed, responsible actors manage risk better than a rigid bureaucracy.

Today, that exact governance mindset has taken center stage in Washington. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) have signaled a clear preference for private sector responsibility. Their argument is compelling on its face. The United States leads China in the race for advanced software. Heavy federal rules risk crippling American innovation. Johnson explicitly noted that Congress will not lead the charge on regulating AI safety, warning that strict restrictions could cause us to cede technological dominance to our adversaries.

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