Trump signs scaled-back AI executive order requiring 30-day government review before public release of advanced models

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night establishing a framework for federal government access to advanced AI models 30 days before their public release, down from an earlier proposal requiring 90 days in advance. The order was approved after a high-level White House meeting and reflects concerns that systems including Anthropic's Claude Mythos and OpenAI's GPT-5.5 could be exploited for cyberattacks against critical infrastructure.

The order does not implement formal regulation but establishes a voluntary process to determine which AI models are the most powerful, then gives the US government exclusive access for 30 days to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before public release. Federal agencies will create a classified process to select which models qualify and which other 'trusted partners' can also get early access.

The move represents a victory for White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who worked with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross to revive the proposal after initial resistance from Trump's former AI czar David Sacks. Bessent can now begin exploring discussions with China about creating a similar cross-border framework for advanced AI systems.