Trump Orders US Agencies to Halt Anthropic AI Use Amid Pentagon Dispute

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has directed all U.S. Federal agencies to cease using technology developed by Anthropic, the artificial intelligence startup, following a public disagreement with the Pentagon over AI safety and usage restrictions. The move comes after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei insisted on maintaining “red lines” preventing the military from utilizing its Claude AI model for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons systems.

Escalating Conflict with the Pentagon

The dispute centers on Anthropic’s demand for safeguards to prevent misuse of its AI technology. The Pentagon, though, seeks the ability to employ Claude for “all lawful purposes,” asserting that its current policies already address Anthropic’s concerns regarding surveillance and autonomous weapons. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Anthropic a “supply chain risk,” instructing military contractors to sever commercial ties with the company. AP News reports that the military anticipates phasing out its use of Anthropic’s AI within six months.

Anthropic Stands Firm on AI Guardrails

In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Amodei reaffirmed Anthropic’s commitment to its established principles. “Our position is clear. We have these two red lines. We’ve had them from day one. We are still advocating for those red lines. We’re not going to move on those red lines,” he stated. CBS News. Amodei expressed concern that the rapid advancement of AI capabilities is outpacing legal frameworks, potentially enabling mass surveillance through the analysis of privately held data.

Concerns Over Autonomous Weapons

While not categorically opposed to autonomous weapons, Amodei voiced concerns about their reliability and the lack of clear accountability in the event of unintended consequences. “We don’t seek to sell something that we don’t think is reliable, and we don’t want to sell something that could get our own people killed or that could get innocent people killed,” he explained. CBS News.

Pentagon Criticism and Accusations

Pentagon officials have been critical of Anthropic’s stance, with Emil Michael, the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, suggesting Amodei has a “God-complex.” The Hill. Hegseth accused Anthropic of attempting to impose its values on the military, labeling the company “sanctimonious” and “arrogant.” Trump himself characterized Anthropic as a “radical left, woke company.” The New York Times.

Legal Challenges and Future Outlook

Amodei has indicated that Anthropic intends to challenge the Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” designation in court. He maintains that the company’s actions are motivated by a commitment to U.S. National security and a desire to uphold American values. He also suggested that Congress should ultimately establish comprehensive AI safeguards, acknowledging the limitations of relying solely on the executive branch for long-term policy decisions. CBS News.