Inside Democrats' AI division
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Illustration: Maura Kearns/Axios
President Trump's embrace of AI could be a political gift to Democrats. Instead, it's exposing a major split in the party.
Why it matters: As the tech industry aligns with the White House, Democrats are weighing whether to lean into a populist message aimed at protecting workers, challenging tech billionaires and pushing back on data centers — or embrace a more innovation-friendly approach.
Driving the news: In a letter shared first with Axios, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is facing backlash from advocacy groups that say the leaders of a new House Democratic AI policy commission have deep ties to Big Tech.
- The co-chairs include Reps. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.), who are set to meet with Jeffries for the first time on Thursday, a source familiar said.
- "Going into the 2026 midterms, Democrats can and must present a vision for AI policy that breaks with Trump's deregulatory vision," the Jan. 8 letter to Jeffries states.
- 11 groups signed the letter, including the Revolving Door Project, Center for Digital Democracy and the Climate and Community Institute.
Behind the scenes: An adviser to a House progressive told Axios that many Hill Democrats see AI and affordability as winning issues.
- The adviser pointed to Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) proposal for a moratorium on AI data centers and Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar's (D-Texas) bill to combat algorithmic pricing as the types of proposals that Democrats could use to capitalize on voters' unease.
What they're saying: Lieu told Axios the new House commission is focused on getting a federal standard on AI regulation across the finish line on the Hill.
- "My argument now to the White House and some of those in the tech industry, is if you want it [AI regulation] coming from 17 states, or do you want it coming from Congress?"
- Foushee said the commission will focus on making sure "every American shares in the benefits of AI" and pointed to her work on civil rights and antitrust.
Jeffries also just picked presidential hopeful Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who one advocacy source said "could be a big win for Nvidia," to be ranking member of the House China Select Committee.
- Khanna spokesperson Sarah Drory said he's been engaging with academics and labor leaders to ensure that AI benefits workers, and noted he has been criticized by tech leaders in his district.
Flashback: Railing on data centers proved to be a winning message during last year's elections for candidates such as New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.
- "Voters don't like subsidizing rich people. I think it's a pretty simple message," said the Revolving Door Project's Jeff Hauser.
The other side: "There might be a political upside to taking the Bernie Sanders road where we just condemn data centers but there's equal political risk to doing that, right? And just seeming as myopic and one-sided as Republicans are," said a House Democratic staffer who requested anonymity in order to speak freely.
Friction point: Some Democrats may also be fearful of hemorrhaging even more Silicon Valley support after the industry took a hard right, political consultants and advocates told Axios.
- Riki Parikh of the lobbying group Alliance for Secure AI Action said Democrats should look to centrists like his former boss Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) for the playbook to approach AI.
- Warner in his ad launching his reelection campaign zeroed in on AI, affordability and job concerns, while also telling voters "we can ensure that innovation gives everyone a fair shot at the American dream."
The bottom line: AI offers Democrats a clear political contrast with Republicans heading into the midterms, if they can get on the same page.
