Warren Slams Pentagon's Block of Anthropic as 'Retaliation'

Anthropic continues to gain support in its legal challenge against the U.S. Department of Defense. Last month, the DoD labeled the AI lab a supply chain risk following its refusal to compromise on potential military applications of its technology.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) characterized the Pentagon's move as a form of retaliation. She argued, as reported by CNBC, that the department could have simply ended its contract with Anthropic instead.

“I am deeply troubled that the DoD may be coercing American companies into providing tools for domestic surveillance or deploying autonomous weapons without proper safety measures,” Warren wrote. She further stated that barring Anthropic “appears to be retaliatory.”

Warren's stance aligns with various organizations criticizing the Defense Department's actions. Several tech firms—including employees from OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft—along with civil rights groups, have filed supporting briefs. They condemn the designation, a measure typically reserved for foreign adversaries, not American companies.

The conflict began when Anthropic informed the Pentagon it would not allow its AI systems to be used for mass surveillance of Americans. The company also stated its technology was not suitable for autonomous targeting or lethal engagement without human oversight. The Pentagon countered that a private entity should not impose conditions on military technology use, subsequently branding Anthropic a “supply chain risk.” This label mandates that any Pentagon contractor certify it does not use Anthropic's products, effectively blocking the AI lab from working with most government vendors.

Warren's letter arrives a day ahead of a crucial hearing in San Francisco. District Judge Rita Lin will consider Anthropic's request for a preliminary injunction to maintain the current situation pending litigation.

Anthropic's lawsuit alleges the DoD violated its First Amendment rights and acted on ideological grounds. The Defense Department maintains that Anthropic's restrictions on military use constitute a business choice, not protected speech, and that the designation was a national security decision, not a punitive measure.

Last week, the AI lab submitted court declarations arguing the government's case relies on technical inaccuracies and concerns never discussed during prior negotiations.

Senator Warren has also written to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, seeking details about his company's agreement with the Pentagon, announced shortly after Anthropic's blacklisting.

Both Anthropic and the Defense Department declined to comment.