The Trump administration has restored its public trust in Anthropic after months of disputes over AI safety, national security, and access to advanced models. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the change after the government previously restricted some of Anthropic’s most powerful AI systems and the Pentagon placed the company on a supply-chain risk list.
Lutnick confirmed the administration’s changed position during an interview with Axios. When asked whether he trusted Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the Commerce Secretary said, “We trust Anthropic. They've done what we asked. They're back on the right side.”
The statement follows months of tension between Anthropic and the US government. Earlier in 2026, officials restricted access to some of the company’s most advanced models while conducting security reviews. The Commerce Department later allowed a limited return of Anthropic’s Mythos models after saying discussions with the company had produced progress.
However, Lutnick’s comments do not end every dispute between the two sides. Anthropic and the Pentagon are still involved in legal proceedings linked to government restrictions and the military’s use of AI technology.
Anthropic co-founder Tom Brown has taken a more visible role in talks with the Trump administration. Axios reported that Brown held several discussions with Lutnick and National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross as the company worked to rebuild its relationship with federal officials.
The warmer relationship became visible at the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Lutnick introduced Brown during the event, where technology executives joined government officials for discussions about artificial intelligence and US technology policy.
Brown also backed President Donald Trump’s position on expanding data centers. He said new facilities can create jobs, generate tax revenue, and add power capacity to the electricity grid. Anthropic has also supported the administration’s ratepayer pledge concerning data center development.
Despite the improved relationship with the Commerce Department, Anthropic’s legal conflict with the Pentagon has not fully ended. A federal judge recently struck down the Pentagon’s decision to classify Anthropic as a supply-chain risk.
US District Judge Rita Lin ruled that the government’s action was unlawful and violated Anthropic’s constitutional rights. The decision followed months of disagreement over how the US military could use Anthropic’s AI models.
Meanwhile, Anthropic is challenging another Pentagon designation under a separate law in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. As a result, the administration’s renewed public trust in the AI company exists alongside continuing legal questions.
Anthropic’s participation in the G20 Innovation Ministerial shows that the company has returned to high-level government discussions after its earlier clashes with Washington. Brown appeared alongside other technology executives as the administration promoted US leadership in artificial intelligence.
The change follows several months of negotiations, security reviews and court proceedings. Lutnick’s latest comments confirm that the Commerce Department now considers Anthropic to have addressed concerns raised earlier in the year. However, the remaining Pentagon case means the broader dispute between Anthropic and parts of the US government is not yet fully resolved.
Also Read: Anthropic Opens Claude Campus Program with USD 3,600 Stipend