Trump: Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use full power of presidency to make them compl...
TL;DR
The Trump administration threatens Anthropic with severe consequences, including contract revocation and use of the Defense Production Act, to force access to its AI models for military use. Anthropic resists, citing ethical concerns over mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, creating a standoff with national security and regulatory implications.
Trump: Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use full power of presidency to make them comply
Trump Administration Escalates Pressure on Anthropic Amid AI Dispute
The Trump administration has intensified its standoff with Anthropic, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) developer, demanding unrestricted access to its Claude models for military applications or threatening severe consequences, including revoking contracts and invoking Cold War-era laws. The conflict, which has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and industry experts, centers on Anthropic's refusal to permit use of its AI for mass domestic surveillance or autonomous weapons systems without human oversight according to reports.
Anthropic, valued at $14 billion in 2026 and preparing for a potential IPO, has maintained its stance despite Pentagon warnings. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly gave the company until Friday, February 27, to comply or face being labeled a "supply chain risk," a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries like Huawei. Such a move would bar Anthropic's technology from government contracts and force defense contractors to abandon its tools according to reports. Alternatively, the administration could invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA), granting the Pentagon sweeping authority to compel Anthropic's cooperation as reported.
The Pentagon insists its demands are lawful and necessary for national security, with spokesperson Sean Parnell stating the military "has no interest in using AI for mass surveillance of Americans" according to the Pentagon. However, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei argues the threats are contradictory: either Claude is a security risk or an essential asset, not both as the CEO stated. The company has emphasized its commitment to safety, including public transparency reports on AI risks, but refuses to compromise its ethical guidelines according to company statements.
The dispute highlights broader tensions between AI governance and national security priorities. While the administration's December 2025 executive order prioritizes minimizing state-level AI regulation as announced, this conflict underscores the lack of federal safeguards for government use of AI. Critics warn the administration's tactics could set a dangerous precedent, undermining private sector innovation and investor confidence according to analysts.
With Anthropic's revenue growth and IPO prospects at stake, the outcome of this standoff will have significant financial and regulatory implications for the AI industry. Congress has been urged to intervene, but no immediate resolution appears likely as the deadline looms.
