A federal judge has blocked the federal government from labeling Anthropic and its AI system Claude as a “supply-chain security risk,” Defense One reported. The ruling cited the First Amendment, saying the Pentagon’s decision infringed on Anthropic’s rights. 

“The record supports an inference that Anthropic is being punished for criticizing the government’s contracting position in the press,” Judge Rita Lin writes in her ruling. “Punishing Anthropic for bringing public scrutiny to the government’s contracting position is classic illegal First Amendment retaliation.” 

The injunction would take effect starting April 2, but the Trump administration is likely to file an appeal. Anthropic is fighting a similar legal battle in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, meaning it will take resolution in multiple courts for the issue to be settled. 

Air Force photo by Kathryn Reaves