Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has filed lawsuits against the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in a bid to block the government move to blacklist the firm from federal contracts, intensifying a dispute over the military use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The San Francisco–based AI developer announced on Monday that it has filed legal challenges in federal courts in California and Washington, arguing that the Pentagon’s decision to designate the company a “supply chain risk” is unlawful and unconstitutional.
At the center of the dispute is Anthropic flagship AI model, Claude, and the company’s refusal to remove safeguards that prevent the system from being used for certain military purposes, including autonomous weapons and large-scale domestic surveillance.
The Pentagon has argued it needs flexibility to deploy AI systems for national security operations, while Anthropic insists its safety restrictions are essential to prevent misuse.
Anthropic claims the government’s action violates its First Amendment rights and due process protections, accusing officials of retaliating against the company for maintaining ethical limits on how its AI can be used.
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In court filings, the company warned that being blacklisted will cause significant financial damage, potentially costing billions of dollars in lost revenue and harming its reputation as an AI partner.
The dispute escalated in recent weeks after the Pentagon declared Anthropic a supply-chain risk and ordered contractors to sever ties with the company.
The move followed a breakdown in negotiations over whether the military could use Anthropic systems for “all lawful purposes.” President Donald Trump also directed federal agencies to phase out Anthropic technology from government systems.
Before the clash, Anthropic has collaborated extensively with US defense agencies. Its Claude AI models have been integrated into national security projects and reportedly used in military operations, highlighting how deeply commercial AI has become embedded in modern defense systems.
The Pentagon has defended its stance, saying national security decisions cannot be dictated by private companies. Meanwhile, Anthropic says it remains willing to support government work provided the military respects the company’s safety restrictions.
