Trump Signs Controversial AI Order, ACA Enrollment Drops and Washington Braces for Major Flooding — Morning Rundown

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at curbing state-level regulation of artificial intelligence, setting off a legal and political battle over federal versus state authority. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to establish an "AI Litigation Task Force" within 30 days to challenge state AI laws the administration deems inconsistent with its approach, and asks Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to identify state statutes that allegedly "require AI models to alter their truthful outputs." States with such laws could be asked to agree not to enforce them to remain eligible for certain discretionary federal funds.

Federal Push On AI

The administration framed the move as necessary to keep AI companies operating in the United States without facing 50 separate state regulatory regimes. Critics contend the order effectively blocks meaningful state-level safeguards and expressed skepticism that Congress will promptly replace diverse state rules with a single national standard. The executive action follows failed legislative efforts this year to centralize AI regulation in Washington, including language removed from the National Defense Authorization Act that would have asserted exclusive federal authority over AI.

Health Insurance Enrollment

Early open-enrollment data from several states suggest more people are dropping Affordable Care Act coverage or shifting to cheaper plans for next year as enhanced federal subsidies wind down. State officials in New York, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Colorado and California cautioned the numbers are preliminary — many enrollees finalize plans near the Dec. 15 deadline — but said the trend could reflect financial strain for households facing higher premiums in 2026.

Pacific Northwest Flooding

Washington state faced another round of severe weather as a series of atmospheric rivers produced torrential rains, swollen rivers and mudslides. Officials ordered roughly 100,000 people to evacuate amid forecasts that more than a dozen rivers could reach major flooding levels. Communities still rebuilding from prior storms now confront another lengthy recovery process.

Other Notable Items

— The Walt Disney Company reached a deal with OpenAI to bring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Stitch and Cinderella to Disney’s Sora video generator.
— A bipartisan group of senators urged AI firms to publish more detail about how they assess and manage risk.
— Time named the "Architects of AI" as its 2025 Person of the Year.
— Wall Street remains wary of an AI-driven market bubble after earnings surprises hit high-valuation stocks; Oracle recently slid on such concerns.
— Tests found some AI toys this holiday season repeating sexual content and politically sensitive talking points, raising safety alarms.
— A CDC study found COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect healthy children from severe illness, and an early trial of a triple-negative breast cancer vaccine showed encouraging results.

Quick Hits

The Department of Justice again failed to secure an indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James; the administration plans to hold a tanker seized near Venezuela at a Texas port while releasing its crew upon docking; customs receipts fell month-over-month in November since the tariff program began; the Federal Reserve reappointed all regional bank presidents; and Lindsey Vonn is eyeing a return to the Winter Olympics.

This roundup was originally published on NBCNews.com and curated for the Morning Rundown.