Hegseth Designates Anthropic As Supply Chain Risk
Hegseth Designates Anthropic As Supply Chain Risk
Publish Date: 2026-02-27 18:03:00
Source Domain: www.forbes.com
Topline
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday he will designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a supply chain risk to national security, handing down the designation after President Donald Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using technology from the company, which said it declined to give the Pentagon unrestricted access to its AI models Thursday.
Trump accused Anthropic of strong-arming the government.
Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images
Key Facts
Hegseth said in a tweet the Department of Defense “must have full, unrestricted access to Anthropic’s models,” adding, “no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.”
Trump said in a Truth Social post, the U.S. will “NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS,” accusing Anthropic of strong-arming the Department of Defense.
Anthropic said it turned down a request from the Pentagon asking for unrestricted access to its AI models, saying in a Thursday statement it would “work to enable a smooth transition to another provider” if the Department of Defense moves on from it.
The AI firm took issue with the department’s alleged request to use its technology for mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, saying, “we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.”
The AI firm took issue with the department’s request to use its technology for mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons, saying, “we cannot in good conscience accede to their request.”
The Pentagon gave Anthropic a 5:01 p.m. EST deadline to let the military use its AI models or risk losing its government contract, according to CBS News.
Forbes has reached out to Anthropic and the Pentagon for comment.
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