President Donald Trump ordered on Friday afternoon every federal agency to “immediately” stop using Anthropic’s artificial intelligence model, Claude, the only AI model used in the military’s classified systems.
The Pentagon and Anthropic had been in a dispute in recent weeks over the department’s insistence that the company lift two restrictions that had been in place.
The War Department wants Anthropic, and other AI companies that have contracts with the department, to allow the military to use their products for “any lawful use,” though Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement on Thursday that the company does not want its AI platform to be used for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.
The Pentagon initially gave Anthropic until 5:01 p.m. on Friday to agree to a deal or the government would end its federal contracts and potentially more significant consequences, but Trump announced his order about an hour before the deadline.
“The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKES trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution. Their selfishness is putting AMERICAN LIVES at risk, our Troops in danger, and our National Security in JEOPARDY,” Trump said.
“Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology,” he continued.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced shortly after that he has directed the department to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk, which means no company that does business with the military can do business with Anthropic.
“Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic. Anthropic will continue to provide the Department of War its services for a period of no more than six months to allow for a seamless transition to a better and more patriotic service,” he said. “This decision is final.”
In a lengthy statement on Thursday, Amodei said, “Regardless, these threats do not change our position: we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.”
The government threatened to invoke the 1950 Defense Production Act, which was passed amid supply concerns during the Korean War. It allows the federal government broad authority to force private companies to meet its needs in the name of national defense. They, instead, opted to designate them a supply chain risk.
PENTAGON AND ANTHROPIC HAVE UNTIL 5:01 PM TO REACH A DEAL. HERE’S WHAT THEY CAN’T AGREE ON
“There will be a Six Month phase out period for Agencies like the Department of War who are using Anthropic’s products, at various levels,” the president said. “Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during the phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow.”
Amodei preemptively said on Thursday, “Should the Department choose to offboard Anthropic, we will work to enable a smooth transition to another provider, avoiding any disruption to ongoing military planning, operations, or other critical missions.”
