# GSA Restores Anthropic After NDCA Injunction Pauses Federal Ban

Times of AI Desk · 2026-04-03 · Policy

[https://timesof.ai/2026/04/gsa-restores-anthropic-technology-preliminary-injunction](https://timesof.ai/2026/04/gsa-restores-anthropic-technology-preliminary-injunction)

> GSA (April 3) withdraws its Feb 27 Anthropic removal, restoring pre-directive access — system integrations, GSA Chat, external services, MAS — after Judge Rita Lin’s March 26 preliminary injunction blocked 17 agencies from enforcing the presidential stop-use directive and related supply-chain-risk designation. Temporary court pause, not a merits win.

Federal AI procurement can reverse in a week when a district court says **pause**. The GSA statement’s frame: restore the **pre–February 27 status quo** because the injunction — not a new agency preference — requires it.

**U.S. GSA** (April 3) withdrew its February 27 removal of Anthropic from federal systems and restored technology to the prior status quo, responding to a **March 26 preliminary injunction** from U.S. District Judge **Rita F. Lin**, N.D. Cal. (**Case No. 26-cv-01996-RFL**). Order blocked **17** named federal agencies from implementing/enforcing the presidential directive to stop using Anthropic tools and related supply-chain-risk designation pending further proceedings; stayed seven days, effective ~April 2.

## Timeline

| Date | Event |
|------|--------|
| **Feb 27** | GSA removes Anthropic from USAi.gov and MAS under presidential stop-use directive (tied to supply-chain-risk designation) |
| **Mar 26** | NDCA grants Anthropic PI |
| **~Apr 2** | Stay lifts; order effective |
| **Apr 3** | GSA withdraws removal; restores access |

## Restoration scope (GSA)

- System integrations with Anthropic products continue.
- Anthropic models in **GSA Chat**.
- Available in external-facing services.
- Remains on **Multiple Award Schedule**.

Related DoD supply-chain-risk litigation continues in parallel tracks.

## Claims vs checks

GSA operational restoration is **agency primary**. Injunction scope is **court order**. This is **preliminary relief** — not a final judgment that the supply-chain designation was unlawful. DoD/NSA Mythos tensions later in April show the broader fight is not settled by GSA alone.

## Limits

- PI can be modified/appealed.
- Agency-by-agency compliance may lag GSA’s statement.
- Underlying designation merits unresolved.

## Sources

- [GSA: “GSA Issues Statement on Anthropic Preliminary Injunction”](https://www.gsa.gov/about-gsa/newsroom/news-releases/gsa-issues-statement-on-anthropic-preliminary-injunction-04032026) (April 3, 2026).
- U.S. District Court N.D. Cal., Case No. 26-cv-01996-RFL (PI March 26, 2026).
- Related coverage of supply-chain-risk designation and agency actions (February–March 2026).