Trump backs Flock cameras as Massie moves to limit them 53 characters.

President Trump on Sunday backed the use of Flock cameras, a type of automated license plate reader operated by the company Flock Safety. His comments came as a Republican lawmaker unveiled legislation aimed at curbing federal spending on the technology.

“Speaking of [artificial intelligence], Flock cameras. You haven’t talked a lot about these Flock cameras. A lot of law enforcement say they really help them. Would you be willing to back that?” a reporter asked Trump on Air Force One.

“No, I sort of like them because of that, because of law enforcement. But some people don’t. They think it’s an infringement,” the president responded, adding later, “I like them.”

Pushback to the surveillance systems has grown on both sides of the aisle.

Flock operates a network of license plate readers, video cameras and audio detection devices tied to an artificial intelligence database. The database logs license plate numbers along with vehicle features such as make, model, color and bumper stickers. Local jurisdictions can share data with other law enforcement agencies.

Earlier this month, Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced a bill aimed at limiting federal funds used for automated license plate reader cameras and biometric surveillance cameras. The legislation, called the Flock-Off Act, would halt efforts to buy, install, maintain, operate or upgrade the cameras for municipalities or local law enforcement.

“Federal taxpayers should not be forced to fund the surveillance state,” Massie said in a post on the social platform X.