President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping executive order mandating all federal agencies to phase out the use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology within the next six months. This directive follows a formal declaration from the Pentagon identifying the San Francisco-based AI firm as a significant supply chain risk to the United States.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth officially labeled the company a national security threat during a press briefing at the Pentagon earlier today. He emphasized that the restriction extends beyond direct government use, effectively barring all military contractors from conducting business with the AI developer.
The administration’s decision marks a dramatic shift in AI governance, signaling a hardline approach to protecting sensitive government data from potential vulnerabilities. Officials cited concerns regarding the underlying architecture of the AI models and the potential for data leaks that could compromise classified operations.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei responded sharply to the announcement, describing the administration's actions as both retaliatory and punitive in nature. He argued that the company has consistently prioritized safety while working closely with various regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
Industry analysts suggest that this move could disrupt several ongoing research projects and administrative workflows that currently rely on Anthropic's Claude models. The six-month timeline is intended to provide agencies with enough transition time to migrate their data to approved domestic alternatives.
This executive action is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to decouple critical technology infrastructure from entities deemed unreliable by the Department of Defense. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill remain divided on the issue, with some praising the security measures while others worry about the impact on innovation.
The Pentagon’s assessment reportedly highlighted specific concerns about the company's investor base and the international origins of certain hardware components used in training their models. Secretary Hegseth maintained that the safety of the nation's digital borders is a non-negotiable priority for the current leadership.
As federal departments begin the process of auditing their software licenses, the tech industry is bracing for further regulatory scrutiny of AI providers. The outcome of this phase-out will likely set a precedent for how the United States manages emerging technologies in the context of global competition.