Anthropic Secures Injunction in Defense Department Dispute with Trump Administration

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Anthropic in its complex legal dispute with the Trump administration, granting the AI company an injunction against a recent government order that classified it as a "supply chain risk," according to a Wall Street Journal report.
On Thursday, Judge Rita F. Lin of the Northern District of California directed the Trump administration to withdraw its recent designation of Anthropic as a national security risk and to halt its directive for federal agencies to sever contracts with the company.
"This appears to be an effort to undermine Anthropic," Judge Lin was quoted as stating during the proceedings. She concluded that the government's actions violated the company's free speech protections.
The conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic intensified last month over a disagreement regarding rules for the government's use of the company's AI software. Anthropic had reportedly attempted to impose specific restrictions, such as prohibiting the use of its AI models in autonomous weapons or mass surveillance systems. The government rejected these terms, subsequently labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk—a classification usually applied to foreign entities. President Trump then ordered federal agencies to terminate their relationships with the company.
Anthropic filed a lawsuit against the agency and Hegseth shortly thereafter.
In recent weeks, the White House has criticized the company, describing it as a "radical-left, woke organization" that threatens U.S. national security. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has countered, calling the Defense Department's measures "retaliatory and punitive."
Following Judge Lin's decision, Anthropic provided TechCrunch with this statement: "We appreciate the court's prompt action and are gratified it recognizes the strength of our case. While this lawsuit was essential to defend Anthropic, our clients, and our partners, our priority continues to be constructive collaboration with the government to ensure all Americans gain from safe and trustworthy AI."
TechCrunch has also contacted the White House for a response.
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A federal judge has ruled in favor of Anthropic in its complex legal dispute with the Trump administration, granting the AI company an injunction against a recent government order that classified it as a "supply chain risk," according to a Wall Street Journal report.
On Thursday, Judge Rita F. Lin of the Northern District of California directed the Trump administration to withdraw its recent designation of Anthropic as a national security risk and to halt its directive for federal agencies to sever contracts with the company.
"This appears to be an effort to undermine Anthropic," Judge Lin was quoted as stating during the proceedings. She concluded that the government's actions violated the company's free speech protections.
The conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic intensified last month over a disagreement regarding rules for the government's use of the company's AI software. Anthropic had reportedly attempted to impose specific restrictions, such as prohibiting the use of its AI models in autonomous weapons or mass surveillance systems. The government rejected these terms, subsequently labeling Anthropic a supply chain risk—a classification usually applied to foreign entities. President Trump then ordered federal agencies to terminate their relationships with the company.
Anthropic filed a lawsuit against the agency and Hegseth shortly thereafter.
In recent weeks, the White House has criticized the company, describing it as a "radical-left, woke organization" that threatens U.S. national security. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has countered, calling the Defense Department's measures "retaliatory and punitive."
Following Judge Lin's decision, Anthropic provided TechCrunch with this statement: "We appreciate the court's prompt action and are gratified it recognizes the strength of our case. While this lawsuit was essential to defend Anthropic, our clients, and our partners, our priority continues to be constructive collaboration with the government to ensure all Americans gain from safe and trustworthy AI."
TechCrunch has also contacted the White House for a response.
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