Pentagon Informed Anthropic of Close Alignment Despite Trump’s Declaration of Termination
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Anthropic’s Legal Challenge Against Pentagon Risks
Late Friday afternoon, Anthropic submitted two sworn declarations to a federal court in California, contesting the Pentagon’s claim that the AI company poses an “unacceptable risk to national security.” The declarations argue that the government’s position is based on technical inaccuracies and issues that were never mentioned during extensive negotiations prior to the conflict.
These declarations accompany Anthropic’s reply brief in its ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Defense, just ahead of a scheduled hearing on March 24 before Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict traces back to late February when President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly severed ties with Anthropic. This decision came after Anthropic declined to permit unrestricted military use of its AI technology.
The declarations were made by two prominent figures at Anthropic: Sarah Heck, the Head of Policy, and Thiyagu Ramasamy, the Head of Public Sector. Heck, a former National Security Council official under the Obama administration, plays a crucial role in managing the company’s government relationships. She was also present during a crucial meeting on February 24, where CEO Dario Amodei engaged with Hegseth and Under Secretary Emil Michael.
Mischaracterizations of Negotiation Demands
Heck’s declaration identifies what she labels as a critical falsehood in the government’s assertions: that Anthropic requested an approval role over military operations. “At no time during Anthropic’s negotiations with the Department did I or any other Anthropic employee make such a demand,” she stated.
Moreover, she highlights that the Pentagon’s worries about the possibility of Anthropic disabling or altering its technology during military operations never surfaced in negotiations. Instead, these concerns only became apparent in court documents, leaving Anthropic without an opportunity to address them.
Contradictory Communications
An intriguing aspect of Heck’s declaration involves an email sent by Under Secretary Michael on March 4, the day after the Pentagon issued its supply-chain risk designation against Anthropic. The email indicated that the two parties were “very close” on significant issues that the Pentagon later cited as justifications for labeling Anthropic a national security threat—specifically regarding its stance on autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of citizens.
Heck contrasts this communication with public statements made shortly thereafter. On March 5, Amarodi described the discussions with the Pentagon as “productive.” However, a day later, Michael stated there were no ongoing negotiations with Anthropic. A week later, he told CNBC that there was “no chance” of resuming talks. Heck’s implication is clear: If Anthropic’s views on these topics indeed render it a national security threat, why were Pentagon officials suggesting that both sides were nearly in agreement on those very issues?
Ramasamy’s Technical Expertise
Ramasamy adds a significantly technical perspective to the case, drawing from his experience at Amazon Web Services, where he managed AI deployments in government sectors, including classified settings. At Anthropic, he has played a pivotal role in introducing its Claude AI models to national security contexts, including a notable $200 million contract with the Pentagon announced last summer.
In his declaration, Ramasamy directly confronts the government’s assertion that Anthropic could theoretically disrupt military operations by disabling its technology. He refutes this claim, stating that once Claude is deployed in a government-operated “air-gapped” system, which is secure and operated by third-party contractors, Anthropic has no access to it. There are no remote kill switches, backdoors, or unauthorized update channels. Any alteration to the model, he asserts, would require explicit Pentagon approval and action.
Furthermore, Ramasamy clarifies that Anthropic cannot monitor what government users are inputting into the system, let alone extract any data.
Addressing Concerns Over Foreign Hiring
Ramasamy also challenges the government’s argument that hiring foreign nationals constitutes a security risk. He notes that all Anthropic employees must undergo U.S. government security clearance checks, the same process required for access to classified information. Notably, Ramasamy points out that to his knowledge, Anthropic is unique among AI companies in that personnel with security clearance have been directly involved in creating AI models intended for classified environments.
Legal Implications
Anthropic’s lawsuit contends that the supply-chain risk designation—an unprecedented move against an American company—constitutes government retaliation for Anthropic’s public stance on AI safety. This action raises serious First Amendment concerns.
In a 40-page response filed earlier this week, the government dismissed this interpretation, arguing that Anthropic’s refusal to permit all lawful military applications of its technology was strictly a business decision and not a matter of protected speech. They maintain that the designation was a straightforward call made for national security reasons, rather than a punitive response to the company’s views.
Conclusion
As the legal battle unfolds, both sides prepare for the upcoming hearing. With echoes of broader debates surrounding AI ethics, military use, and national security regulations, the outcome of this case could set a significant precedent affecting not only Anthropic but the entire AI industry. As the technology evolves and its applications expand, the relationship between private AI companies and government entities remains a critical and contentious front in discussions about safety, ethics, and control.
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