Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Stop Using Anthropic’s AI Tools
Trump announced late Friday night that he is ordering all federal agencies to discontinue the use of Anthropic’s AI tools. This decision follows the AI startup’s refusal to comply with the Pentagon’s demand for unconditional military utilization of its Claude models.
On Truth Social, Trump expressed that the US will not permit a “RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS!” He stated that the authority lies with him and the “tremendous leaders” assigned to oversee the US military.
He further commented that the individuals at Anthropic made a “DISASTROUS MISTAKE” in attempting to pressure the Department of War and enforce their terms over the Constitution. He emphasised that this selfishness poses dangers to AMERICAN LIVES, threatens troops’ safety, and jeopardises national security.
He also mentioned that a six-month phase-out period would be granted for agencies like the Department of War that currently use Anthropic’s products across various functions.
In concluding his post, Trump warned that Anthropic must cooperate during this transition or face significant repercussions. He stated that he would leverage the full authority of the Presidency to ensure compliance, noting major civil and criminal consequences could follow. “WE will decide the fate of our country — NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company run by individuals detached from reality,” he proclaimed.
Read Trump’s full post here.
Is Anthropic a Supply Chain Risk?
Prior to Trump’s announcement, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth condemned Anthropic and its CEO Dario Amodei.
Hegseth criticised Anthropic for demonstrating “arrogance and betrayal” and offered a clear lesson on how to avoid doing business with the US Government or the Pentagon. He firmly stated that the Department of War must have complete, unrestricted access to Anthropic’s models for every lawful use in defence of the Republic.
He continued, stating that Anthropic attempted to coerce the US military under the guise of what he termed effective altruism. He remarked that the terms of service of this so-called altruism will not outweigh the safety and readiness of American troops in the field. He viewed their actual goal as an attempt to exercise control over the operational decisions of the US military, which he deemed unacceptable.
Moreover, he instructed the Department of War to classify Anthropic as a Supply-Chain Risk to National Security.
Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner working with the US military is allowed to engage in any business activities with Anthropic. Anthropic will continue to offer its services to the Department of War for no longer than six months to facilitate a smooth transition to a more suitable and patriotic service provider. America’s warfighters will not be held hostage to the ideological preferences of Big Tech. This determination is final.
