Rita Lin

“based on a desire to make a public example”

Rita Lin · said 2026-08-27 · reported 2026-08-28

Judge Lin found that the Department of Defense violated the First Amendment by designating Anthropic a supply chain risk based on this desire.

“Defendants claim that because of Anthropic's 'increasingly hostile manner through the press' and its criticism of the Department of War's views on AI use, Defendants 'cannot trust Anthropic to ensure the integrity of its models,' ”

Rita Lin · said 2026-08-27 · reported 2026-08-28

Lin wrote in her order that the Defendants claimed Anthropic's hostile press manner and criticism of the Department of War's AI views meant they could not trust the company.

“Neither the Constitution nor the federal statute invoked by Defendants allows them to impose sweeping penalties based principally on Anthropic's critique of the Administration's views.”

Rita Lin · said 2026-08-27 · reported 2026-08-28

Lin ruled that neither the Constitution nor the invoked federal statute permits sweeping penalties based on Anthropic's critique of the Administration's views.