Trump Orders Federal Agencies To Stop Using Anthropic AI Tech 'Immediately'

Source: Slashdot

Background

President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. federal agencies to “immediately cease” using Anthropic’s AI technology (CNBC). The directive follows Anthropic’s request for limits on Pentagon use of its models (Slashdot).

• Anthropic signed a $200 million contract with the Pentagon in July.
• The company seeks assurances that its AI models will not be used for fully autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance of Americans.

The Pentagon set a deadline of 5:01 p.m. ET on Friday for Anthropic to agree to these terms, allowing the department to use the technology for all lawful purposes. If the deadline was missed, Pete Hegseth warned he would label Anthropic a “supply chain risk” or invoke the Defense Production Act to force compliance.

Trump’s Order

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said:

“The Left‑wing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE 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.”

He continued:

“Therefore, I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again! 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.”

Anthropic’s Position

Anthropic’s stance is that its AI should not be deployed for autonomous lethal weapons or mass surveillance. The company has asked the Pentagon to honor these red lines before continuing any further collaboration.

OpenAI’s Stance

On the same day, OpenAI announced it would draw the same red lines as Anthropic, refusing to provide AI for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons (Slashdot).