Pentagon Told Anthropic the Two Sides Were Nearly Aligned a Week Before Trump Killed the Deal
New court filings reveal the government's national security claims contradict its own internal communications
The filings, submitted late Friday afternoon, argue that the government's case relies on technical misunderstandings and concerns that were never actually raised during months of negotiations between Anthropic and the Department of Defense.
The revelations undercut the Pentagon's public position that Anthropic represented a security threat. According to the declarations, internal communications show defence officials were close to finalising terms with the AI company before political intervention from the Trump White House abruptly ended discussions.
The dispute centres on Anthropic's AI systems and their potential use in military and intelligence applications. The Trump administration has taken an increasingly adversarial stance toward AI companies that have resisted full alignment with defence priorities, and the Anthropic case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over the relationship between Silicon Valley and the national security apparatus.
Analysis
Why This Matters
This case could set a precedent for how the US government engages with AI companies on defence contracts. If Anthropic's filings hold up, it would suggest the national security justification was pretextual rather than genuine.
Background
The Trump administration has pushed aggressively to bring major AI companies into the defence fold, and companies that have resisted have faced increasing pressure. Anthropic, which has positioned itself as a safety-focused AI lab, has been particularly cautious about military applications.
What to Watch
The court's response to these filings will be closely watched by every major AI company weighing government contracts. A ruling in Anthropic's favour could embolden other firms to push back on defence demands.