Trump’s data center push fractures Congress as local anger explodes: 'Grasping at straws'

Democratic lawmakers are calling for tighter restrictions on data centers, while Republicans say the facilities could boost the economy and keep the U.S. ahead in the artificial intelligence (AI) race.

President Donald Trump doubled down on data centers this week, rejecting calls to slow development after previously warning that communities blocking the facilities would "end up being backwards and poor." Rep.

Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., told Fox News Digital last month that Arizona needs to slow the expansion of data centers until the state fully assesses its long-term impacts.

"We in Arizona need to pause the expansion of data centers in the state until we really figure out a plan on how we're going to preserve our water, how we are going to make sure that ratepayers aren't taking on the responsibility," Ansari said.

MAGA BEGINS TO CRACK AS 2026 GOP ROSTER BACKS AWAY FROM TRUMP'S TECH VISION Ansari called President Trump's support for data centers "out of touch," saying it runs counter to what the "vast majority" of Americans want.

"If Donald Trump is such a big fan of data centers, then he should welcome them in his own backyard," she said.

Rep.

Ro Khanna, D-Calif., pointed to his proposed Data Center Bill of Rights , which would ban data centers within 2,500 feet of homes, schools, child care facilities, hospitals and nursing homes and give communities greater authority over where they're built.

Khanna dismissed President Donald Trump's comments that communities opposing data centers would fall behind.

"Trump has failed to deliver for the forgotten American, so he's just grasping at straws," he said.

Rep.

Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., said lawmakers must prioritize what's "fair" for local communities.

"The wealth has gone into the tech sector, and they are unregulated, unbridled and not very philanthropic," Jackson said.

WHO PAYS FOR US POWER BOOM? BLUE, RED STATES OFFER STARKLY DIFFERENT WAYS TO LOWER UTILITY BILLS AMID AI SURGE Higher electricity bills shouldn't fall on communities as data centers expand, according to Rep.