Appeals court keeps Pentagon's supply-chain risk label on Anthropic amid conflicting rulings
21 Sources
[1]
Anthropic Supply-Chain Risk Label Should Stay In Place, Appeals Court Says
Anthropic "has not satisfied the stringent requirements" to temporarily lose the supply-chain risk designation imposed by the Pentagon, a US appeals court in Washington, DC ruled on Wednesday. The decision is at odds with one issued last month by a lower court judge in San Francisco, and it wasn't
[2]
Anthropic Fails for Now to Halt US Label as a Supply-Chain Risk
A federal appeals court declined for now Anthropic PBC's request to pause a declaration by the Pentagon that the artificial intelligence company poses a risk to the US supply chain, even as plans for a broader government ban on its technology remain blocked by a California judge. In its decision
[3]
US court declines to block Pentagon's Anthropic blacklisting for now
NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - A Washington, D.C., federal appeals court on Wednesday declined to block the Pentagon's national security blacklisting of Anthropic for now, a win for the Trump administration that comes after another appeals court came to the opposite conclusion in a separate legal
[4]
Anthropic loses appeals court bid to block Pentagon blacklisting temporarily
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday denied Anthropic's request for a stay in its lawsuit against the Department of Defense. The artificial intelligence startup sought the action to pause its blacklisting by the Pentagon and prevent further monetary and reputational harm as
[5]
Appeals court rebuffs Anthropic in latest round of its AI battle with the Trump administration
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the Pentagon from blacklisting artificial intelligence laboratory Anthropic in a decision that differed from the conclusions reached in another judge's ruling on the same issues. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C.
[6]
Anthropic loses bid to pause Pentagon blacklisting as AI legal battle escalates
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. What just happened? Anthropic has suffered another setback in its escalating fight with the Pentagon. A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has refused to temporarily block the Defense
[7]
Federal Court Denies Anthropic's Motion to Lift 'Supply Chain Risk' Label
The ruling was a setback for the artificial intelligence start-up in its battle with the Defense Department over the use of A.I. in warfare. A panel of federal judges on Wednesday denied a motion from Anthropic to stop the Department of Defense from labeling it a security risk, a setback for the
[8]
Judge blocks Trump crackdown on Anthropic, restoring Claude access
US court restores Claude access, but the battle is far from over * Federal workers regain Claude access after court blocks controversial designation * Judge calls government move unconstitutional retaliation against AI company * Anthropic rejects military use, triggering federal access shutdown
[9]
Anthropic suffers setback in Pentagon blacklisting fight
Driving the news: Anthropic sought the stay to fend off financial and reputational harm. The ruling comes after a federal judge in a San Francisco court last month granted the company a preliminary injunction keeping the administration from banning the use of Claude. Why it matters: The split
[10]
Court rejects Anthropic appeal over US national security risk label
The debate started when Anthropic refused to give the US government unfettered access to its AI chatbot, Claude. A court in the United States has rejected American artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic's request to shield it from being labelled a supply chain risk by the country's
[11]
US court expedites Anthropic's legal battle with Department of War
Washington (United States) (AFP) - A US appeals court on Wednesday denied Anthropic's request to put on hold a move by the Pentagon to label it a supply chain risk, but ordered the AI startup's legal battle with the Department of War to be put on a fast track. "On one side is relatively contained
[12]
US court declines to pause Anthropic ban, recommends case be expedited
A Washinton DC appeals court has declined to pause the US administration's 'supply chain risk' designation of Anthropic, but recommends case be expedited. Anthropic won its first round in court on March 26, when a district judge granted a temporary injunction against the US administration's
[13]
Appeals court rejects Anthropic's bid to block Pentagon blacklisting - SiliconANGLE
Appeals court rejects Anthropic's bid to block Pentagon blacklisting A federal appeals court in Washington DC today rejected Anthropic PBC's request for a stay in its lawsuit against the Department of Defense. A panel of three judges said the artificial intelligence start-up had failed to meet
[14]
Anthropic Loses Bid To Block Pentagon AI Risk Label
"In our view, the equitable balance here cuts in favor of the government," said a panel of judges from the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected AI company Anthropic's bid to pause the US Defense Department's designation of
[15]
Appeals Court Rebuffs Anthropic in Latest Round of Its AI Battle With the Trump Administration
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the Pentagon from blacklisting artificial intelligence laboratory Anthropic in a decision that differed from the conclusions reached in another judge's ruling on the same issues. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C.
[16]
Appeals court rejects Anthropic's bid to temporarily halt Pentagon designation
A federal appeals court has rejected Anthropic's bid to temporarily halt the Pentagon's labelling of the artificial intelligence company as a supply chain risk, finding the firm failed to meet the strict requirements for an emergency stay. The order, issued Wednesday evening by a three-panel judge
[17]
US Court Declines to Block Pentagon's Anthropic Blacklisting for Now
(Corrects dateline to April 8. No changes to text) By Jack Queen NEW YORK, April 8 (Reuters) - A Washington, D.C., federal appeals court on Wednesday declined to block the Pentagon's national security blacklisting of Anthropic for now, a win for the Trump administration that comes after
[18]
Trump Administration Scores Key Win As Appeals Court Lets Pentagon Blacklist Anthropic -- Claude Parent Re
On Wednesday, a federal appeals court in Washington declined to temporarily block the Pentagon's decision to label Anthropic a national security risk. Appeals Court Sides With Pentagon -- For Now The development handed the Donald Trump administration a key interim victory in a closely watched
[19]
Anthropic Back to Square One: Loses Appeals Court Bid to Block Pentagon Blacklisting
In an earlier instance, another court had actually granted an injunction to Anthropic on a similar case, but with this setback, the AI company finds itself where it started Anthropic finds itself back to square one in its legal battle versus the Trump administration after a federal court in
[20]
Anthropic loses bid to temporarily block Pentagon blacklisting
A federal appeals court in Washington, DC, on Wednesday rejected Anthropic's request to temporarily block the Pentagon's blacklisting of its AI tech while its lawsuit against the Department of War plays out in court. The San-Francisco based AI firm is suing the department for designating it a
[21]
US court declines to block Pentagon's Anthropic blacklisting for now
NEW YORK, March XX (Reuters) - A Washington, D.C. federal appeals court on Wednesday declined to block the Pentagon's national security blacklisting of Anthropic for now, a win for the Trump administration that comes after another appeals court came to the opposite conclusion in a separate legal
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A federal appeals court in Washington, DC refused to block the Pentagon's designation of Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, creating a legal conflict with a San Francisco judge's opposite ruling. The AI company, caught in a dispute over autonomous weapons and surveillance restrictions, faces potential billions in lost revenue as two separate lawsuits unfold under different supply-chain laws.
Appeals Court Ruling Keeps Anthropic Blacklisting in Place
A US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC on Wednesday denied Anthropic's request to pause the Pentagon's national security supply-chain risk designation, delivering a setback to the AI company in its escalating legal dispute with the Trump administration
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. The three-judge appellate panel ruled that Anthropic "has not satisfied the stringent requirements" to temporarily lose the label, even while acknowledging the company would "likely suffer some degree of irreparable harm" from the ongoing designation1
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. The appeals court ruling creates immediate business uncertainty for the Claude AI developer, which has claimed it could face billions of dollars in lost revenue from the Anthropic blacklisting2
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Source: AP
Conflicting Court Decisions Create Legal Uncertainty
The Washington, DC appeals court ruling directly conflicts with a decision issued last month by US District Judge Rita Lin in San Francisco federal court, who found the Pentagon's decision appeared to constitute "classic illegal First Amendment retaliation"
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. The San Francisco judge ordered the supply-chain risk label removed, and the Trump administration initially complied by restoring access to Anthropic AI tools inside the Pentagon and throughout the federal government1
. The conflicting preliminary judgments stem from the government sanctioning Anthropic under two different supply-chain laws with similar effects, with each court ruling on only one of them1
. Anthropic has said it is the first US company to be designated under the two laws, which are typically used to punish foreign businesses that pose a risk to national security1
.Military Use of AI and Autonomous Weapons at Center of Dispute
The legal dispute erupted after Anthropic refused to allow the military to use Claude AI for US surveillance or autonomous weapons deployment due to AI safety and ethics concerns
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. The company has argued it is being illegally punished for insisting that Claude lacks the accuracy needed for certain sensitive operations such as carrying out deadly drone strikes without human supervision1
. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued orders designating Anthropic under 10 USC § 3252 and 41 USC § 4713, requiring defense contractors to certify they don't use Claude in their work with the military4
. The Justice Department argues that Anthropic's refusal to lift restrictions could cause uncertainty over how the Pentagon could use Claude and risk disabling military systems during operations3
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Source: NYT
National Security Concerns Override Financial Harm
In explaining the appeals court ruling, the panel emphasized military priorities during active conflict. "On one side is a relatively contained risk of financial harm to a single private company," the court wrote. "On the other side is judicial management of how, and through whom, the Department of War secures vital AI technology during an active military conflict"
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. The panel stated they did not want to risk "a substantial judicial imposition on military operations" or "lightly override" the military's judgments on national security1
. The battle between Anthropic and the Trump administration is playing out as the Pentagon deploys AI in military contexts, including its war against Iran1
.Related Stories
First Amendment and Free Speech Implications
In its lawsuits, Anthropic claims the government violated its right to free speech under the First Amendment by retaliating against its views on AI safety
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. The company also alleges it was not given a chance to dispute its designation, in violation of its Fifth Amendment right to due process3
. The San Francisco judge had found that the Department of Defense likely acted in bad faith against Anthropic, driven by frustration over the AI company's proposed limits on how its technology could be used and its public criticism of those restrictions1
. Several experts in government contracting and corporate rights have indicated Anthropic has a strong case against the government, though courts sometimes refuse to overrule the White House on matters related to national security1
.Industry Impact and Path Forward
The conflicting court decisions create substantial business uncertainty at a pivotal time when US companies compete globally to lead in AI development, according to Matt Schruers, CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association
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. Some AI researchers have said the Pentagon's actions against Anthropic "chills professional debate" about the performance of AI systems1
. The court in Washington, DC is scheduled to hear oral arguments on May 19, with final decisions in the company's two lawsuits potentially months away1
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. Anthropic spokesperson Danielle Cohen says the company remains confident "the courts will ultimately agree that these supply chain designations were unlawful"1
. The parties have revealed minimal details about how the Department of Defense has used Claude or its progress transitioning staff to other AI tools from Google DeepMind, OpenAI, or others1
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Source: Reuters
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