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Defense Sec. Gives Anthropic Deadline to Remove Military AI Restrictions
Hegseth warns Anthropic CEO Amodei to comply by Friday or face potential blacklisting
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei a Friday deadline to remove restrictions on how the U.S. military can use Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot. Hegseth warned that Anthropic could face major penalties, including potential blacklisting as a 'supply chain risk,' if it does not comply. The Pentagon is seeking unfettered access to Claude, which is currently the only AI model approved for use on classified military systems.
Why it matters
This ultimatum highlights the growing tensions between the Pentagon and Anthropic over the use of AI technology in military applications. Anthropic has maintained strict ethical guidelines around the use of its AI, refusing to support mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. The standoff raises questions about the balance between national security needs and AI safety concerns.
The details
During a high-stakes meeting in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Hegseth told Amodei that the Pentagon could use the Defense Production Act to mandate Anthropic allow the full use of Claude for military purposes. The Pentagon has until 5:01 PM ET on Friday for Anthropic to comply. Amodei reiterated Anthropic's position that it will not support the use of its technology for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. The meeting came after tensions escalated in January when Claude was used in an operation to arrest Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, which Anthropic denies having any involvement in beyond normal operational discussions.
- The meeting between Hegseth and Amodei took place on Tuesday afternoon.
- Anthropic has until 5:01 PM ET on Friday to comply with the Pentagon's demands.
The players
Pete Hegseth
U.S. Defense Secretary who delivered the ultimatum to Anthropic.
Dario Amodei
CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, the AI company that developed the Claude chatbot.
Nicolás Maduro
President of Venezuela, whose arrest was reportedly carried out using Anthropic's Claude AI.
What they’re saying
“The only reason we're still talking to these people is we need them and we need them now. The problem for these guys is they are that good.”
— Defense Department official (Axios)
“During the conversation, Dario expressed appreciation for the Department's work and thanked the Secretary for his service.”
— Anthropic spokesperson (The Post)
What’s next
The judge will decide on Friday whether Anthropic must comply with the Pentagon's demands or face potential blacklisting.
The takeaway
This standoff highlights the growing tensions between the military's need for advanced AI capabilities and Anthropic's commitment to ethical AI development. The outcome could set a precedent for how the government regulates and accesses cutting-edge AI technology in the future.
