President Trump has a characteristically understated message for communities resisting AI data centers: Accept them or risk becoming “backwards and poor.” He says the facilities will bring jobs, prosperity, and lower taxes, while opposition will please China and kill America’s technological “Golden Goose.” Subtle it’s not. Still, beneath the presidential megaphone is a serious question.…
Trump’s Bulk-Power Emergency Order and the Security of the U.S. Grid
President Trump has declared a national emergency involving foreign-made equipment used in America’s bulk-power system. The executive order seeks to prevent certain equipment associated with foreign governments or entities from being purchased, imported, installed, or operated when federal officials determine that it presents an unacceptable security risk. Despite the more dramatic headlines, this isn’t a…
Who Should Write the Rules for Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence has officially entered the “Congress is trying to do something about it” phase, which means we’ve now moved from “terrifyingly fast technological disruption” to “terrifyingly fast technological disruption, but with committee hearings.” According to reports surrounding the Obernolte-Trahan AI negotiations, Reps. Jay Obernolte, a California Republican, and Lori Trahan, a Massachusetts Democrat, have…
The Supreme Court, Geofence Warrants, and the Future of Privacy
The Supreme Court is weighing a case that could reshape how police investigate crimes in the digital age and, more importantly, how far the government can go in collecting data on ordinary people who aren’t suspected of doing anything wrong. At its core, the debate is about whether law enforcement should be allowed to use…
When Silicon Valley Meets the National Security State
If you ever wanted to watch two of the most powerful forces in modern society collide—Silicon Valley and the national security state—this lawsuit might be the closest thing we’ve seen yet. Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Defense and the Trump administration after the government labeled the…
The Free Market vs. National Security: Where Should Conservatives Draw the Line?
Who would’ve thought a goofy app for dance challenges and lip-syncing would spark one of the biggest debates about freedom, capitalism, and national security in modern America? Welcome to 2025, where TikTok isn’t just a time-waster for teenagers; it’s a test case for whether conservatives really believe in both free markets and strong national defense.…
AI, the OBBBA, and the Great 10-Year Gag Order on the States
Today, we’re going to look at a provision in the OBBBA that has recently stirred a lot of controversy. Marjorie Taylor Greene railed against this provision, which imposes a 10-year federal ban on states and local governments from enacting or enforcing any laws regulating artificial intelligence (AI) systems, models, or automated decision-making tools involved in…
The Independent Christian Conservative 