Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Halt Use of Anthropic AI Technology
In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the US government and artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies to immediately cease using the company's technology. The directive comes as a deadline for an agreement between the Department of Defense and Anthropic passed without resolution on Friday afternoon.
Pentagon Demands Versus Ethical Guardrails
The Department of Defense has been locked in negotiations with Anthropic regarding the military's use of the company's Claude AI system. The Pentagon has demanded that Anthropic loosen its ethical guidelines on AI systems, threatening severe consequences if the company refuses to comply. Defense officials argue that unfettered access to Claude's capabilities is essential for national security.
Anthropic, which positions itself as the most safety-conscious among leading AI companies, has resisted allowing its technology to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons systems that could operate without human oversight. The company has been engaged in months of disagreement with the Pentagon even before this week's public discussions began.
Trump's Intervention and Corporate Response
President Trump weighed in just one hour before the Friday deadline, posting on Truth Social: "The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution."
He added: "WE will decide the fate of our Country – NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by people who have no idea what the real World is all about."
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei responded in a statement that his company "cannot in good conscience accede" to the Pentagon's demand for unrestricted use of its AI tools. He emphasized that while Anthropic understands military decisions rest with the Department of Defense, the company believes AI can undermine democratic values in certain applications.
Consequences and Industry Solidarity
The Pentagon has threatened significant repercussions if Anthropic maintains its position:
- Cancellation of a $200 million contract with the company
- Designation of Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a classification typically reserved for foreign adversaries
- Severing of the existing relationship despite Claude already being integrated into some Defense Department operations
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated late Thursday that "we will not let ANY company dictate the terms regarding how we make operational decisions," adding that Anthropic had until 5:01 PM ET on Friday to decide.
In Silicon Valley, Anthropic has received support from its fiercest competitors. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman indicated in a CNBC interview that his company shares the same ethical red lines as Anthropic. Nearly 500 employees from OpenAI and Google signed an open letter declaring "we will not be divided" and warning that the Pentagon is attempting to play companies against each other.
Looking Forward
Amodei expressed hope that the Pentagon would reconsider its position, stating: "Our strong preference is to continue to serve the Department and our warfighters." However, he acknowledged that if the government terminates the relationship, Anthropic would work to ensure a smooth transition to another provider.
The public showdown represents a significant test of how ethical guidelines in emerging technologies will interact with national security priorities, with implications extending far beyond this single company-government relationship.
