(Image source from: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump stated on Friday, local time, that he is instructing all federal agencies to immediately stop using technology from Anthropic, intensifying a conflict between the Pentagon and the AI company regarding the application of its tools in military settings. In a message on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am instructing every federal agency in the United States government to stop using any technology from Anthropic right away. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and we will not work with them ever again! ” He also mentioned that there would be a six-month period for agencies like the Defense Department that are currently utilizing the company's products “at different levels” to phase them out.
On Thursday, Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei stated that the company would maintain safety features in its Claude AI system despite pressure from the Pentagon, arguing that certain applications, including widespread domestic spying and fully automated weapons, cross both ethical and technical lines. “We cannot, in good faith, agree to their demands,” Amodei mentioned, emphasizing that while Anthropic is in favor of using AI to enhance US national security, the existing systems are “just not dependable enough” to remove human oversight in making targeting decisions. Trump portrayed this decision as a matter of national safety and executive power. “The United States of America will never let a radical left, politically correct company control how our remarkable military conducts and wins wars! ” he stated. “That choice belongs to your Commander-in-Chief and the outstanding leaders I appoint to lead our military. ”
The President accused Anthropic of trying to pressure the Department of War and said, "The company's actions are endangering American lives, putting our troops at risk, and threatening our national security. " He cautioned that Anthropic needs to correct their behavior during the phase-out period or face serious legal consequences. Trump’s order occurs during rising tensions between the Pentagon and the AI lab regarding military applications of artificial intelligence. The administration has not provided additional information about the specifics of the disagreement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Department of War will formally identify Anthropic as a “supply-chain risk to national security,” effectively prohibiting contractors, suppliers, and partners who work with the US military from engaging commercially with the AI company. “Starting now, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may carry out any commercial activities with Anthropic,” Hegseth stated in a release.
He mentioned that Anthropic would be allowed to keep giving services to the Pentagon for a maximum of six months, which he referred to as a way to ensure a “smooth change to a better and more patriotic service. ” Hegseth was critical of the company and its CEO, Dario Amodei, claiming they were trying to “force the United States military to comply. ” He labeled Anthropic’s behavior as “an example of arrogance and betrayal” and argued that their stance was “totally against American values. ” “Our stance has always been clear and will remain so: the Department of War must have complete, unrestricted access to Anthropic’s models for any lawful reason to defend the Republic,” Hegseth stated, adding: “This decision is final. ” This action indicates a significant change in the government’s connection with one of the top AI companies in the nation and could greatly affect how federal technology is acquired and how defense operations are conducted.
