Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning,
Government,
Industry Specific
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Classifies Anthropic as a “Supply Chain Risk”
In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies to discontinue the use of technology from Anthropic, a developer of AI systems, amid rising tensions between the Department of Defense and the company. This directive follows ongoing disagreements over the application of the Claude systems, which are integral for military operations.
Additional Context: Compliance Team Guide for Evasion Prevention & Sanction Exposure Detection
In a post on Truth Social, the President stated, “I am directing every federal agency 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.”
Secretary Hegseth issued an ultimatum at 5:01 p.m. for Anthropic to lift restrictions on how military technologies could be utilized, particularly concerning domestic surveillance and fully autonomous systems. Despite the deadline, Anthropic confirmed it would maintain these safeguards, placing its defense contracts at risk.
At 5:14 p.m., Hegseth announced his classification of Anthropic as a “supply chain risk,” fully restricting any military contracts with the company. He emphasized that no contractor associated with the U.S. military should engage in business with Anthropic.
In a blog post, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei underscored the lack of direct communication from the government and expressed intentions to contest the designation in court. He noted that such a classification primarily affects Department of Defense contractors and would not directly hinder how Claude services other clients.
The core issue revolves around the extent to which Claude, currently the sole foundation model permitted in specific classified Defense contexts, can be adapted for military use. While military officials have sought broader capabilities for various operations, Anthropic remains firm in preserving its restrictions regarding sensitive applications.
Amodei had earlier cautioned about the risks posed by advanced AI systems and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to not compromising the safety of military personnel and civilians. Trump reiterated his position against what he described as a “radical left, woke company” influencing military strategy.
Trump’s directive mandates a six-month phaseout for all agencies currently utilizing Anthropic’s technology, emphasizing the need to ensure that mission-critical systems continue to function effectively. During this period, agencies must identify alternative solutions to mitigate any operational disruptions.
As a result of this directive, potential consequences for existing contracts and how cloud-based deployments are managed are under scrutiny. Observers warn that an abrupt severance from Anthropic could create substantial capability gaps within the defense sector, given Claude’s integration in various operational contexts.
This escalating conflict with Anthropic marks a pivotal moment for the Defense Department, posing risks not just to immediate operational capabilities but also to long-term strategic planning within the defense industrial base.
*Updated Feb. 28, 2026 2:14 UTC: Incorporates statements from both Hegseth and Amodei.
Reported by Information Security Media Group’s David Perera in Northern Virginia.