Sen. Schumer calls for White House briefing and action to rein in AI

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Sep 14, 2026

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Sen. Chuck Schumer on Monday called for an immediate White House briefing and fast-track action to rein in artificial intelligence even as President Donald Trump pushed back against any new regulation of the fast-changing technology.

After tech leaders warned that unchecked AI poses a potential threat to humanity, Schumer, D-N.Y., demanded Trump and Republican allies engage with Democrats about potential guardrails.

“The American people deserve better from their government at such a consequential moment,” Schumer said in a statement. “Warning bells are ringing louder than they ever have — and the Trump administration is looking the other way. ”

Schumer said Democrats support giving American innovation a boost over powerful competition, especially from China. But he warned the GOP not to block action to force Big Tech to act prudently.

“If they won’t hold themselves accountable, we will,” Schumer said. “And if Trump does not act, Congress must.”

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, also demanded action on AI.

“The explosive growth of artificial intelligence and the challenges, that’s not a hoax,” said Jeffries told reporters on Capitol Hill. “It’s very real…it requires decisive congressional action immediately.”

The congressional leaders spoke out as Trump issued a full-throated defense of AI. The president Monday said against any new regulation could shackle innovation and would only benefit China.

“There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China,” Trump wrote on his social media site.

The potential dangers of AI burst into the spotlight last week when a former senior researcher at Anthropic resigned over fears out-of-control AI agents could kill all people on earth within a decade’s time.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei conceded over the weekend that the industry needs new regulation, calls that were echoed by other AI giants.

Schumer is the latest Democrat to speak out against unchecked AI and data centers that power it, including Senate candidates in marquee midterms swing state matchups.

President Obama last week urged Democrats to push hard on the issue and predicted it would resonate with voters, especially as public angst over dangers and potential job losses increase.

Republicans have taken a less firm stance on AI. House Speaker Mike Johnson threw cold water on the possibility of any quick action in the narrowly divided Congress before the November midterms.

Some Republican senators, including conservative Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, have called for hearings on AI, but it’s possible that they will now follow Trump’s lead and kick the can down the road.

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