Trump Designates Data Centers as Critical National Security Infrastructure

Donald Trump signed a July 2025 executive order designating data centers as critical national security infrastructure to ensure U.S. technological dominance. This prioritization comes as the United States sees a surge in data center construction driven by the energy-intensive demands of artificial intelligence.

Analysis indicates over 1,500 facilities are currently in development. While 87 percent of existing centers are urban, 67 percent of new projects are shifting toward rural areas where land is more affordable. Brendan Steinhauser of The Alliance for Secure AI noted that the rise of AI is increasing demand for these facilities in cheaper rural locations.

The rapid growth has triggered legislative pushback due to energy concerns and limited local job creation. In March, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the AI Data Center Moratorium Act to pause new construction. Similarly, the Maine legislature passed a moratorium to halt approvals for centers requiring over 20 megawatts of power until October 2027, pending a final decision by Governor Janet Mills.