Judge backs Anthropic in first clash with Pentagon

A federal judge has granted Anthropic a preliminary injunction, blocking the Trump administration from labeling the firm a supply-chain risk and restricting government use of its AI tools.

Judge Rita F. Lin ruled that the move likely violated free-speech protections and ordered officials to halt enforcement immediately.

The dispute began after failed contract talks with the Pentagon, during which Anthropic sought limits on the use of its AI in autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance. 

Soon after, the administration directed agencies and contractors to stop working with the company.

The court said the designation appeared to punish the company for its views rather than address real security concerns. 

She said, “If the concern is the integrity of the operational chain of command, the Department of War could just stop using Claude.”

The ruling gives Anthropic early relief, as it faces losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The Defense Department may appeal the decision.