Pentagon says its Anthropic ban still stands
Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael said Thursday that Anthropic remains a supply-chain risk for the Defense Department and its industrial base. The statement came one day after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the administration trusted Anthropic again. It also followed an August 27 federal ruling that found the Pentagon had illegally punished Anthropic and set aside the designation.
Verified 8:18 AM PDT · 2 original sources
The evidence
What the reporting establishes
What happened
Under Secretary of Defense Emil Michael said Thursday that Anthropic remains a supply-chain risk for the Defense Department and its industrial base. The statement came one day after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the administration trusted Anthropic again. It also followed an August 27 federal ruling that found the Pentagon had illegally punished Anthropic and set aside the designation.
Pressure point
The Defense Department did not explain how its statement fits the court order. It also did not answer Reuters's request for comment. The public record now has conflicting positions from two cabinet departments and a federal court. Commerce's warmer stance toward Anthropic does not settle the separate Pentagon dispute.
What to watch
Watch for an appeal, a request to stay the ruling, or written procurement guidance to defense contractors. Contract language on autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance should show whether the underlying dispute changed.
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