Amicus Briefs Overwhelmingly Back Anthropic Ahead of Tuesday Injunction Hearing Against Pentagon

Tech Policy Press analyzed the amicus briefs filed ahead of the March 24 preliminary injunction hearing before Judge Rita Lin. Nearly two dozen former high-ranking military officials argued the supply-chain risk designation 'lacks legal foundation' and 'risks long-term viability of critical public-private partnerships.' Approximately 50 Google and OpenAI employees claimed the Pentagon acted 'recklessly' using the designation to 'punish' rather than simply ending the contract. A free speech coalition including FIRE, EFF, and the Cato Institute characterized the action as a 'textbook violation' of First Amendment rights. Microsoft sought a 'pause' on the designation warning of 'broad negative ramifications for the entire technology sector.' Law professor Alan Rozenshtein argued the Pentagon exceeded 'limited statutory authority' and the threat model 'bears no resemblance' to actual circumstances. AFGE also filed a brief supporting Anthropic.