Anthropic Seeks Rehearing of Pentagon AI Ban After 2-1 D.C. Ruling

1 articles · Updated · CNBC · Oct 13

Anthropic on Tuesday asked the D.C. Circuit to rehear its challenge to the Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” designation, which bars defense contractors from using its Claude AI models in Defense Department work.
The company said the September 2-1 panel decision overlooked evidence that the blacklist was retaliation for Anthropic’s AI-safety stance, including its refusal to allow mass surveillance of Americans or lethal autonomous warfare.
The dispute traces to March, when the Pentagon imposed the label after negotiations over Claude’s use on the GenAI.mil platform collapsed; Anthropic says the move was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional.
Anthropic had previously worked across multiple U.S. agencies and signed a $200 million Pentagon contract in July 2025, underscoring how sharply the relationship deteriorated.