Trump administration argues Pentagon’s Anthropic ban is justified, lawful

The Trump administration's Department of Justice filed a court brief Tuesday defending the Pentagon's decision to sever ties with Anthropic, arguing the move is lawful and does not violate the AI company's free speech rights. Anthropic had challenged the ban in federal court, contending that the government action infringed on its constitutional protections. The dispute centers on whether the Pentagon can terminate contracts or partnerships with private companies based on policy grounds without triggering First Amendment violations. The filing suggests the administration views the break with Anthropic as a justified policy decision rather than censorship, likely reflecting broader administration priorities regarding AI development and national security considerations. The case will test the legal boundaries of what federal agencies can require or restrict when working with private sector technology firms.