U.S. Agencies Drop Anthropic AI in Stunning Rebuke

Three U.S. cabinet agencies have halted use of Anthropic's AI products under orders from President Trump, citing disagreements over military use. This move isolates Anthropic, prompting a shift to rival AI providers like OpenAI. The Defense Department will phase out Anthropic use over six months.

In a significant policy shift, three U.S. cabinet agencies announced Monday they will stop using Anthropic's AI products. This decision follows directives from President Donald Trump and mirrors a similar move by the military, reflecting unresolved disputes over military applications of their technology.

The Departments of State, Treasury, and Health and Human Services have directed employees to switch to rival AI platforms such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the cessation of Anthropic's products in his department, while HHS and the State Department issued similar notifications, citing compliance with presidential orders.

The Trump administration's push against Anthropic emerges from conflicts over AI safeguards, particularly concerns about autonomous weaponry and domestic surveillance. OpenAI, backed by tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, capitalized on the situation, securing a new agreement with the Defense Department that restricts usage for surveillance purposes.