The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the creation of a new artificial intelligence litigation task force aimed at challenging state-level AI regulations, according to an internal memo reviewed by CBS News. The move, directed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is framed as a way to protect AI innovation by preventing what the department calls "cumbersome" and "excessive" state rules. The memo cites President Trump’s recent executive order, which seeks to limit state regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing that a fragmented patchwork of conflicting laws across states could hinder technological progress. The order asserts that such inconsistencies threaten the AI industry’s growth and competitiveness. The newly formed AI Litigation Taskforce will evaluate state laws and take legal action when it determines that regulations are unconstitutional, improperly regulate interstate commerce, or conflict with existing federal rules. The task force will be led by Bondi or a designated official and will include staff from the offices of the Deputy and Associate Attorney General, the Civil Division, and the Solicitor General’s office. The task force will also consult with David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, and other senior officials in shaping its approach. Sacks, a well-known Silicon Valley venture capitalist, has publicly supported the executive order, claiming it gives the federal government the tools to push back against what he describes as the most burdensome state-level regulations. Several states, including California, Colorado, Texas, and Utah, have already enacted laws to govern AI use, focusing on issues like transparency, consumer protection, and the prevention of harmful deepfakes. Many of the proposed bills in state legislatures last year aimed to require companies to disclose when users are interacting with AI systems and to limit the misuse of synthetic media. In response, Senate Democrats, led by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, introduced legislation in December to block the executive order. Markey criticized the move as an overreach of executive power, stating, “While I am confident that the courts will strike down Trump's illegal power grab, Congress has a responsibility to assert its legislative authority and block this Executive Order.” The debate highlights a growing national divide over the balance between innovation, regulation, and federal versus state authority in the fast-evolving AI landscape.