Judge says Pentagon’s measures against Anthropic were ‘illegal and baseless’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting, Friday, July 31, 2026, at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md., Friday, July 31, 2026.

A judge issued a written order Thursday night that the Pentagon acted illegally by punishing the AI company for its criticism of the Department of Defense’s views on AI use. The government is expected to fight the ruling.

(Image credit: Jacquelyn Martin)