On Friday, President Trump said he is directing all federal agencies to “immediately” stop using Anthropic’s AI technology, escalating a standoff between the company and the Pentagon over restrictions on how its models can be used by the military.
“I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic’s technology,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!”
The order comes as Anthropic faces a Pentagon deadline to drop guardrails that limit how the military can deploy its AI systems. The administration’s move appears to tie the broader federal government’s use of Anthropic’s products to that ongoing dispute.
Trump said agencies will have six months to phase out Anthropic’s technology and warned the company to cooperate during the transition. “Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow,” he wrote.
The announcement marks a dramatic shift in the government’s relationship with one of the leading AI labs. Rather than narrowing the action to defense-related systems, the directive applies across all federal agencies, signaling a sweeping break unless Anthropic changes course.
The timing is significant. Anthropic has been in negotiations with the Department of Defense over safeguards that limit certain military applications of its AI. The Pentagon has sought broader authority to use the company’s models, while Anthropic has maintained restrictions. With a deadline approaching, the president’s order adds new pressure — and raises the stakes beyond a single department.
The six-month phaseout window suggests the administration expects agencies to transition to alternative AI providers during that period. Trump also left open the possibility of additional action if Anthropic does not assist in the offboarding process.
For now, the directive sets up a high-profile clash between a leading AI company and the White House, with federal procurement, national security considerations and AI deployment boundaries all intertwined. The next steps will likely determine whether Anthropic remains entirely shut out of federal work — or whether the dispute over guardrails can still be resolved before the phaseout deadline expires.
This analysis is based on reporting from cbsnews.
Image courtesy of Unsplash.
This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy and quality.
