BY MIRABEL ODETA
The Trump administration argued in a Tuesday court filing that the Pentagon’s decision to blacklist Anthropic was both justified and lawful, pushing back against the company’s high-stakes lawsuit challenging the designation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic—a leading developer of the AI assistant Claude—a national security supply chain risk on March 3 after the company refused to remove guardrails preventing its technology from being used for autonomous weapons or domestic surveillance. The designation effectively bars Anthropic from participating in certain federal contracts.
In its filing, the administration argued that Anthropic’s claims of First Amendment violations are unlikely to succeed. The Justice Department emphasized that the dispute arises from contract negotiations and national security considerations, not from any retaliation against protected speech. The filing stated, “It was only when Anthropic refused to release the restrictions on the use of its products—which refusal is conduct, not protected speech—that the President directed all federal agencies to terminate their business relationships with Anthropic.” Officials added that no one has attempted to restrict the company’s expressive activity.
Anthropic has asked a California federal court to block the Pentagon’s designation while its legal challenge proceeds. Some legal experts have suggested that the company may have a strong case, arguing that the government may have overstepped its authority.
In response to the filing, Anthropic said it is reviewing the government’s arguments. The company emphasized that its judicial challenge does not alter its commitment to developing AI responsibly and in ways that protect national security, but it described the court action as “necessary to protect our business, our customers, and our partners.”
The White House did not immediately comment on the filing. President Donald Trump has publicly supported Hegseth’s move. While the designation only affects a limited set of military contracts, Anthropic executives warn it could damage the company’s reputation and result in billions of dollars in lost revenue this year.
The blacklisting followed months of negotiations between the Pentagon and Anthropic, which reached an impasse over the company’s restrictions on its AI. Trump and Hegseth accused the company of endangering U.S. lives, claims Anthropic strongly disputes. The company has consistently stated that its AI technology is not yet safe for use in autonomous weapons and that it opposes domestic surveillance on principle.
In its March 9 lawsuit, Anthropic described the Pentagon’s designation as “unprecedented and unlawful,” arguing that it violates both free speech and due process protections. The company also contends that federal agencies failed to follow legally required procedures in making the decision.
The Pentagon has separately designated Anthropic as a supply chain risk under another law, a move that could expand the ban to other government contracts. Anthropic is challenging that broader designation in a second lawsuit filed in a Washington, D.C. appeals court, signaling an ongoing legal battle over the company’s role in U.S. defense and technology policy.
Original article
Comments