WASHINGTON — Sen. Josh Hawley used a late-September hearing on rogue artificial intelligence agents to press for federal safeguards, putting the Missouri Republican at odds with President Donald Trump’s preference for voluntary standards and industry self-policing. Hawley is calling for AI safety legislation that would make companies liable when their technology causes harm. The effort is unfolding as prospects for congressional action dim, and as Republicans debate how to address public concerns about AI without breaking with Trump’s less-regulatory approach. Those concerns include the prospect of widespread job losses and broader disruption to the economy and daily life. Republican strategist Jason Roe said politicians who engage those worries could appeal to voters beyond their own party. The debate could carry political weight ahead of the 2028 campaign, giving Republicans an opening to criticize the power and risks of the technology industry. But the gap between Hawley’s call for rules and Trump’s reliance on voluntary safeguards leaves uncertain whether Congress will enact protections.