Republican lawmakers are challenging President Trump’s criticism of communities that oppose data center construction, with Tim Burchett saying projects could instead be located on military installations and calling for greater local control. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Republicans are investigating whether China is behind misinformation targeting data centers. Public resistance remains broad: a Fox News poll last month found 70% opposed to a data center in their area, including 60% of Republicans and 76% of Democrats. Critics cite environmental and financial pressures, while Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has imposed a moratorium on new construction over water-use and power-grid concerns after previously calling Texas the "epicenter of AI development."