Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in dispute over AI safety

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will direct all federal agencies to stop using technology made by Anthropic, after talks between the company and the Pentagon failed. In a post on Truth Social shortly before a government deadline expired, Trump wrote that agencies would “IMMEDIATELY CEASE” use of Anthropic’s technology. He accused the company of trying to pressure the Defence Department to follow its terms of service. “We will decide the fate of our Country – NOT some out-of-control, Radical Left AI company,” Trump wrote. The dispute centres on how the military can use artificial intelligence tools developed by Anthropic. ## Pentagon labels company supply-chain risk After the deadline passed, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was directing the Pentagon to classify Anthropic as a supply-chain risk to national security. “Anthropic delivered a master class in arrogance and betrayal as well as a textbook case of how not to do business with the United States Government or the Pentagon. Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic,” Hegseth wrote on X. > This week, Anthropic delivered a master class in arrogance and betrayal as well as a textbook case of how not to do business with the United States Government or the Pentagon.Our position has never wavered and will never waver: the Department of War must have full, unrestricted…— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) February 27, 2026 This week, Anthropic delivered a master class in arrogance and betrayal as well as a textbook case of how not to do business with the United States Government or the Pentagon.Our position has never wavered and will never waver: the Department of War must have full, unrestricted… The designation is normally used in cases involving foreign adversaries and could affect the company’s business with defence contractors. The Pentagon had a two-year contract worth up to $200 million with Anthropic. Hegseth said the department would continue to use the company’s services for a transition period of up to six months. The General Services Administration later said it had also ended its contracts with the firm. ## Dispute over AI use in defence The disagreement focused on safety limits for Anthropic’s AI system, Claude. The Pentagon sought broader access to the technology for national security purposes. Anthropic said it could not agree to unrestricted use. On Thursday, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei said the company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s demand. He said the company does not object to military decisions but believes that in some cases artificial intelligence could undermine democratic values. Anthropic has resisted allowing its systems to be used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. A Pentagon spokesperson said the department “has no interest” in using AI for those purposes. Other technology companies, including OpenAI and Google, also hold defence contracts. Some executives and employees in the sector have expressed support for Anthropic’s position. It remains unclear whether the government and Anthropic could still reach an agreement.