Trump Directs Agencies Away From Anthropic Over Military Clash - AI News Today Recency

# Trump Directs Agencies Away From Anthropic Over Military Clash

In a bold executive move, President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. federal agencies to immediately cease using Anthropic's AI technology, escalating a heated standoff with the San Francisco-based AI firm over its refusal to allow military applications like mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.[1][2] Trump labeled Anthropic "woke" and a national security risk in a fiery Truth Social post, granting the Pentagon a six-month phase-out period while threatening the full power of the presidency to enforce compliance.[1]

The Spark of the AI-Military Standoff

The clash intensified when Anthropic rejected a Pentagon ultimatum demanding unrestricted access to its Claude AI models for all lawful military uses, including those the company deems unsafe.[2] Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei stated that deploying the technology for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons falls "outside the bounds of what today’s technology can safely or reliably do," standing firm despite threats to its $200 million Defense Department contract.[1][2][3] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of labeling Anthropic a "supply-chain risk," a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries like China or Russia, which could bar defense contractors from using its products.[1]

This dispute highlights growing tensions between AI developers and the U.S. military, as Anthropic was one of the few firms cleared for classified systems.[3] The Pentagon has even floated invoking the Defense Production Act—a Korean War-era law—to compel compliance, potentially sparking legal battles.[2][3]

Trump's Directive and Phase-Out Details

Trump's Friday announcement on Truth Social directed "EVERY Federal Agency" to halt Anthropic use immediately, except for a six-month transition for the Department of Defense, which he playfully called the "Department of War."[1] He accused the company of endangering troops by imposing ideological limits on its tech, vowing no future business and readiness to wield presidential authority if needed.[1] This follows earlier Pentagon steps, like surveying defense contractors on their Anthropic reliance.[2]

Experts note the rarity of such contractor pushback, with federal laws already prohibiting AI for domestic surveillance or unapproved autonomous weapons, yet military leaders insist on flexibility.[3][4]

Industry Reactions and Broader Implications

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly aligned with Anthropic's "red lines," revealing internal plans to negotiate similar exclusions for its own Pentagon deal on classified deployments.[3] This could hinder the military's replacement efforts, as OpenAI, Google, and xAI also hold contracts but lack Anthropic's classified clearance precedent.[3] The episode underscores whether AI firms can dictate government usage terms, positioning Anthropic as a test case for Trump administration enforcement on AI national security.[4]

Critics from groups like the Center for American Progress argue the moves make an "example" of Anthropic to deter other firms, amid broader debates on ethical AI in defense.[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted Trump's order against Anthropic? President Trump directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's technology after the company refused Pentagon demands for unrestricted military access, citing safety concerns over surveillance and autonomous weapons.[1][2]

What is the phase-out timeline for the Pentagon? Trump allowed a six-month period for the Department of Defense to phase out Anthropic's products, while other agencies must cease use immediately.[1]

Why did Anthropic reject the military's terms? Anthropic opposes using its Claude models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, arguing current technology cannot handle them safely or reliably.[2][3]

What threats has the Pentagon made? The Pentagon threatened to cancel Anthropic's $200 million contract, label it a supply-chain risk, and potentially invoke the Defense Production Act to force compliance.[1][2][3]

How has OpenAI responded to the dispute? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated he shares Anthropic's restrictions on military AI use and is negotiating similar terms for classified deployments.[3]

Could this affect other AI companies? Yes, the standoff raises questions about AI firms setting usage limits on government contracts, potentially complicating deals for OpenAI, Google, and xAI.[3][4]