Tech firm opposes US War Department demand to lift limits on surveillance and autonomous weapons
US President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to halt the use of artificial intelligence systems developed by Anthropic, escalating an unprecedented showdown between the US government and Silicon Valley’s most influential AI firms over the military use of advanced algorithms.
In a post published Friday on Truth Social, Trump accused the company of trying to “Direct how our great military fights and wins wars” Announcing an immediate government-wide blacklist with a six-month phase-out period for agencies that currently rely on its technology.
“I am directing every federal agency of the United States government to cease all use of anthropic technology immediately. We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will never do business with them again!” Trump wrote about an hour before a Pentagon deadline for the company to accept the risk of removing key safeguards or being blacklisted. “Supply Chain Risk.”
The US president warned the company to cooperate during the phase-out period or face serious legal consequences.
“I will use the full power of the Presidency to ensure that men get their act together and be helpful during this phase-out period, or face serious civil and criminal consequences.” Trump wrote.
The directive follows weeks of rising tensions between Anthropic and the US Department of War over restrictions inherent in the company’s flagship AI system, the cloud.
At the center of the dispute are treaty safeguards that prohibit the use of anthropogenic models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons systems. Pentagon officials have pushed for those limits to be lifted, arguing that military commanders cannot operate under restrictions imposed by private contractors during wartime or crisis situations.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amode rejected the request, saying the company does not support uses it believes conflict with democratic norms or pose unacceptable risks.
Trump accused the company of running it “Leftwing Nut Works” He said, he places moral concern over the American Constitution and his terms of service. “Their selfishness is putting American lives at risk, our troops at risk, and our national security at risk.” US President said.
Trump’s order effectively formalizes a threat raised earlier by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who warned he could designate the company. “Supply Chain Risk” – A classification typically reserved for organizations linked to foreign adversaries.
Anthropic became the first commercial AI developer to deploy large language models on classified Pentagon networks under a contract valued at $200 million. Its cloud chatbot is used in intelligence analysis, operational simulations, cyber operations and planning workflows. US media reports have suggested that the system played a key role in planning and carrying out attacks targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
