Anthropic has filed two sworn declarations in a California federal court, disputing the Pentagon's assertion that the AI company poses an 'unacceptable risk to national security'. The declarations, submitted by Anthropic's Head of Policy Sarah Heck and Head of Public Sector Thiyagu Ramasamy, argue that the government's case relies on technical misunderstandings and claims that were never raised during negotiations.
Heck, a former National Security Council official, claims that the Pentagon's concern about Anthropic potentially disabling or altering its technology mid-operation was never raised during negotiations. Instead, she says, it appeared for the first time in the government's court filings. Ramasamy, who has expertise in AI deployments for government customers, disputes the government's claim that Anthropic could theoretically interfere with military operations.
The declarations were filed alongside Anthropic's reply brief in its lawsuit against the Department of Defense, ahead of a hearing on March 24. The dispute traces back to late February, when President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly declared they were cutting ties with Anthropic after the company refused to allow unrestricted military use of its AI technology.
The Funding and Partnership Context
Anthropic had previously announced a $200 million contract with the Pentagon to advance responsible AI in defense operations. Ramasamy, who built the team that brought Anthropic's Claude models into national security and defense settings, notes that the company's employees have undergone U.S. government security clearance vetting.
The government has rejected Anthropic's framing of the supply-chain risk designation as retaliation for the company's publicly stated views on AI safety, saying that the designation was a straightforward national security call. Anthropic's lawsuit argues that the designation amounts to government retaliation, violating the First Amendment.
What This Means for the Industry
The case has implications for the development and deployment of AI technology in national security and defense settings. As the hearing approaches, the outcome will be closely watched by the tech industry and beyond. According to a previous report by TechCrunch, the government's filing earlier this week rejected Anthropic's claims entirely.
Company Background and Next Steps
Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei has stated that the company had been having 'productive conversations' with the Pentagon. However, the government's subsequent actions have raised questions about the company's relationship with the Department of Defense. As the case progresses, Anthropic's strategic direction and the implications for the broader tech industry will be closely monitored.
