Case: Anthropic PBC v. United States Department of War

26-01049 | U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Filed Date: March 9, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenged the Trump administration's designation of AI company Anthropic, creator of Claude, as a national security risk after the company refused to contractually authorize the Department to use Claude for mass domestic surveillance or lethal autonomous warfare.  On March 9, 2026, Anthropic filed a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging actions by the U.S. Department of War and Secretary of War Peter Hegset…

This case challenged the Trump administration's designation of AI company Anthropic, creator of Claude, as a national security risk after the company refused to contractually authorize the Department to use Claude for mass domestic surveillance or lethal autonomous warfare. 

On March 9, 2026, Anthropic filed a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit challenging actions by the U.S. Department of War and Secretary of War Peter Hegseth. The dispute arose after Secretary Hegseth issued a public directive on February 27, 2026, instructing the Department of War to designate Anthropic as a "Supply-Chain Risk to National Security" – meaning the government deemed that the company poses potential vulnerabilities, such as spying or sabotage, allowing the government to restrict or exclude the entity from defense contracts to protect national security. On March 4, 2026, the Department of War formally notified Anthropic that it had determined the use of Anthropic's products or services in Department of War-covered procurements presented a supply chain risk, with the determination taking effect immediately. The Department subsequently canceled contracts with Anthropic, began removing Claude from systems, and prohibited other contractors from using Anthropic as a subcontractor.

This petition challenged the determination under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018 and the U.S. Constitution, alleging the Department's actions: constituted pretextual retaliation violating the First and Fifth Amendments, were arbitrary and capricious, lacked support in the administrative record, violated required procedures, and exceeded statutory authority. The same day, Anthropic also filed suit against the Department in the Northern District of California under separate statutory authority.

Two days later, Anthropic filed an emergency motion seeking to stay the Department of War's designation under 41 U.S.C. § 4713, or alternatively, an expedited merits briefing schedule. In that motion, Anthropic further contended that the Secretary's designation violated due process and constituted First Amendment retaliation after Anthropic refused to remove safety limitations from its AI model Claude that prohibited lethal autonomous warfare and mass surveillance of Americans. Anthropic presented evidence of potential contract cancellations totaling hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, while noting the contradictory nature of the Department's simultaneous requirement that Anthropic continue providing Claude for up to six months despite banning other contractors from using it.

On April 8, 2026, the court denied Anthropic's emergency motion for a stay pending review of the Secretary of War's determination. The court emphasized it would not lightly override the Department's national security judgments during an active military conflict, noting the "relatively contained risk of financial harm to a single private company" versus "judicial management of how, and through whom, the Department of War secures vital AI technology during an active military conflict.” The court did grant Anthropic's request for expedition, establishing an expedited briefing schedule with oral argument set for May 19, 2026.

Since filing the complaint, several organizations have sought to participate as amicus curiae.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Maddy Ligon (4/16/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72380208/parties/anthropic-pbc-v-united-states-department-of-war/


Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Attorney, Sarah Elaine (District of Columbia)

Berengaut, Alexander A. (District of Columbia)

Brill, Sophia M. (District of Columbia)

Callahan, Samuel (District of Columbia)

Counsel, Harold Hongju (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1208828684

26-01049

Petition for Review

Anthropic PBC v. U.S. Department of War

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72380208/anthropic-pbc-v-united-states-department-of-war/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:11 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1208828684

PETITION FOR REVIEW [2162687] of a decision by federal agency filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 03/09/2026] Disclosure Statement: Attached. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/09/2026 12:27 PM]

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

Clearinghouse
1208828687

CERTIFIED COPY [2162688] of Petition for Review sent to respondent [2162687-2]. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/09/2026 12:28 PM]

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

RECAP
1208828702

CLERK'S ORDER [2162695] filed directing the parties to file initial submissions: PETITIONER docketing statement due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER certificate as to parties due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER statement of issues due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER underlying decision due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER deferred appendix statement due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER procedural motions due 04/08/2026. PETITIONER dispositive motions due 04/23/2026. RESPONDENT entry of appearance due 04/08/2026. RESPONDENT procedural motions due 04/08/2026. RESPONDENT certified index to record due 04/23/2026. RESPONDENT dispositive motions due 04/23/2026 [26-1049] [Entered: 03/09/2026 12:43 PM]

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

RECAP

PETITION FOR REVIEW CASE docketed. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/09/2026 12:26 PM]

March 9, 2026

March 9, 2026

1208829345

ENTRY OF APPEARANCE [2163025] filed by Sharon Swingle and co-counsel Sean R. Janda; Brian J. Springer on behalf of Respondents Peter B. Hegseth and United States Department of War. [26-1049] (Janda, Sean) [Entered: 03/10/2026 06:02 PM]

March 10, 2026

March 10, 2026

1208829653

EMERGENCY MOTION [2163176] to stay underlying order pending appeal filed by Anthropic PBC (Service Date: 03/11/2026 by CM/ECF NDA) Length Certification: 5,188 Words. [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 03/11/2026 11:15 PM]

1 Petitioner's Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Review

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2 Addendum

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3 Checklist for Emergency Motions

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March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026

1208829661

MOTION [2163178] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by Foundation for American Innovation, Fifty Years, Fathom, ChinaTalk, Martin Chorzempa, Alex Imas, Pangram, Institute for Progress, Dean Ball, Dwarkesh Patel, Roots of Progress, Saif Khan [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] [26-1049] (Hwang, Tim) [Entered: 03/12/2026 12:38 AM]

1 Motion to Participate as Amicus Curiae Filed

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2 Proposed Amicus Brief

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March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

1208829735

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163215] lodged by Dean Ball, ChinaTalk, Martin Chorzempa, Fathom, Fifty Years, Foundation for American Innovation, Alex Imas, Institute for Progress, Saif Khan, Pangram, Dwarkesh Patel and Roots of Progress [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] Length of Brief: 3,541 words. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/12/2026 10:31 AM]

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

RECAP
1208829854

MOTION [2163273] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Not Applicable to this Party] filed by Former Service Secretaries and Retired Senior Military Officers [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] [26-1049] (Harrington, Sarah) [Entered: 03/12/2026 01:38 PM]

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

1208829888

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163300] lodged by Former Service Secretaries and Retired Senior Military Officers [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] Length of Brief: 3,755 words. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/12/2026 02:41 PM]

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

RECAP
1208830023

CONSENT NOTICE [2163366] of intention to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by Employees of Open AI and Google in Their Personal Capacities [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] [26-1049] (Lev, Ori) [Entered: 03/12/2026 07:18 PM]

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

1208830045

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163373] filed by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Cato Institute, Chamber of Progress, and First Amendment Lawyers Association [Service Date: 03/12/2026 ] Length of Brief: 5,151 words. [26-1049] (Shah, Sopen) [Entered: 03/12/2026 09:38 PM]

March 12, 2026

March 12, 2026

RECAP
1208830127

CONSENT AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163420] filed by Employees of OpenAI and Google in Their Personal Capacities [Service Date: 03/13/2026 ] Length of Brief: 3,282. [26-1049] (Lev, Ori) [Entered: 03/13/2026 09:28 AM]

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

RECAP
1208830145

PER CURIAM ORDER [2163428] filed ORDERED that respondents file a response to the emergency motion for a stay [2163176-2] by March 19, 2026. Petitioner’s reply is due by March 23, 2026. Before Judges: Wilkins, Katsas and Rao. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/13/2026 09:42 AM]

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

RECAP
1208830425

CONSENT NOTICE [2163584] of intention to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Not Applicable to this Party] filed by Professor Alan Z. Rozenshtein [Service Date: 03/13/2026 ] [26-1049] (Theodore, Elisabeth)

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

1208830434

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163588] filed by Professor Alan Z. Rozenshtein [Service Date: 03/13/2026 ] Length of Brief: 4,383 Words. [26-1049] (Theodore, Elisabeth)

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

RECAP
1208830529

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163623] filed by Freedom Economy Business Association [Service Date: 03/13/2026 ] Length of Brief: 2,449. [26-1049] (Harris, George)

1 Amicus for Appellant/Petitioner Brief Filed

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2 Notice of Intent to Support Petitioner

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3 Entry of Appearance - George Harris

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March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

1208830718

ENTRY OF APPEARANCE [2163740] filed by Mr. George C. Harris for Freedom Economy Business Association, Candide Group, Howard Fischer, Thomas Haslett, Investor Advocates for Social Justice, Mission Driven Finance, The Nathan Cummings Foundation, Inc., Omidyar Network LLC and Pluralize Capital. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/16/2026 10:44 AM]

March 13, 2026

March 13, 2026

1208831045

MOTION [2163901] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by Former Senior National Security Government Officials [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] [26-1049] (Loeb, Alexis) [Entered: 03/16/2026 05:52 PM]

1 Motion to Participate as Amicus Curiae Filed

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2 Proposed Amici Brief

View on RECAP

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

1208831066

MOTION [2163907] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Democracy & Technology [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] [26-1049] (Gorski, Ashley) [Entered: 03/16/2026 07:03 PM]

1 Motion to Participate as Amicus Curiae Filed

View on PACER

2 Proposed Amicus Brief

View on RECAP

3 Entry of Appearance

View on PACER

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

1208831071

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163908] lodged by Former Senior National Security Government Officials [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] Length of Brief: 6,132 Words. [26-1049] [Edited 03/17/2026 by EKC--MODIFIED EVENT FROM FILED TO LODGED] (Loeb, Alexis) [Entered: 03/16/2026 07:10 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

RECAP
1208831083

AMENDED AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163912] filed by Freedom Economy Business Association [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] Length of Brief: 2,449. [26-1049]--[Edited 03/17/2026 by EKC] (Harris, George) [Entered: 03/16/2026 07:32 PM]

1 Amicus for Appellant/Petitioner Supplemental Brief Filed

View on RECAP

2 Amended Corporate Disclosure Statement of Amici FEBA et al

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March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

1208831087

MOTION [2163913] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Not Applicable to this Party] filed by Catholic Theologians and Ethicists [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] [26-1049] (Klubes, Benjamin) [Entered: 03/16/2026 07:45 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

RECAP
1208831090

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163914] lodged by Catholic Theologians and Ethicists [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] Length of Brief: 2,580 words. [26-1049] [Edited 03/17/2026 by EKC--MODIFIED EVENT FROM FILED TO LODGED] (Klubes, Benjamin) [Entered: 03/16/2026 07:50 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

RECAP
1208831117

MOTION [2163923] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by TechNet, Software & Information Industry Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Information Technology Industry Council [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] [26-1049] (Wolff, Daniel) [Entered: 03/16/2026 11:02 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

1208831120

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2163924] lodged by TechNet, Software & Information Industry Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, Information Technology Industry Council [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] Length of Brief: 2459 words. [26-1049] [Edited 03/17/2026 by EKC--MODIFIED EVENT FROM FILED TO LODGED] (Wolff, Daniel) [Entered: 03/16/2026 11:05 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

RECAP
1208831430

ENTRY OF APPEARANCE [2164097] filed by Ashley Gorski for American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Democracy and Technology and Patrick Toomey for American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Democracy and Technology. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/17/2026 03:15 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

1208831436

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2164098] lodged by American Civil Liberties Union and Center for Democracy and Technology [Service Date: 03/16/2026 ] Length of Brief: 6,486 words. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/17/2026 03:18 PM]

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

RECAP
1208831446

NOTICE [2164108] of intention to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by ACT | The App Association [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] [26-1049] (Scarpelli, Brian) [Entered: 03/17/2026 03:25 PM]

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

RECAP
1208831460

MOTION [2164113] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by ACT | The App Association [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] [26-1049] (Scarpelli, Brian) [Entered: 03/17/2026 03:36 PM]

1 Motion to Participate as Amicus Curiae Filed

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2 ACT Amicus Curiae

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March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

1208831539

CORRECTED AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2164145] filed by Former Senior National Security Government Officials [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] Length of Brief: 6,132 Words. [26-1049] (Loeb, Alexis) [Entered: 03/17/2026 05:55 PM]

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

RECAP
1208831564

MOTION [2164155] to participate as amicus curiae [Disclosure Listing: Attached] filed by 149 Former Judges and Democracy Defenders Fund [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] [26-1049] (Brill, Sophia)

1 Motion to Participate as Amicus Curiae Filed

View on RECAP

2 Proposed Amicus Brief of 149 Former Judges and Democracy Defenders Fund

View on RECAP

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

1208831569

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2164156] filed by 149 Former Judges and Democracy Defenders Fund [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] Length of Brief: 4,224 words. [26-1049] (Brill, Sophia)

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

RECAP
1208831708

AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF [2164233] lodged by ACT | The App Association [Service Date: 03/17/2026 ] Length of Brief: 2,103 words. [26-1049] [Entered: 03/18/2026 01:05 PM]

March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026

RECAP
1208832389

RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION [2164558] to motion [2163176-2] filed by Peter B. Hegseth and United States Department of War [Service Date: 03/19/2026 by CM/ECF NDA] Length Certification: 5162 words. [26-1049] (Janda, Sean)

March 19, 2026

March 19, 2026

RECAP
1208833581

REPLY [2165167] filed by Anthropic PBC to response [Service Date: 03/23/2026 by CM/ECF NDA] Length Certification: 2,600 Words. [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly)

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

RECAP
1208834843

LETTER [2165837] pursuant to FRAP 28j advising of additional authorities filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 03/26/2026 ] [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 03/26/2026 10:08 PM]

1 Letter Filed

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2 Exhibit A

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3 Exhibit B

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March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

1208839342

MOTION [2167990] to participate as amicus curiae combined with AMICUS FOR PETITIONER BRIEF lodged by James Lakner [Service Date: 04/02/2026] Length of Brief: 1 page. [26-1049] [Entered: 04/10/2026 11:41 AM]

April 6, 2026

April 6, 2026

1208838607

DOCKETING STATEMENT [2167654] filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 04/08/2026 ] [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 04/08/2026 03:32 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

RECAP
1208838610

CERTIFICATE AS TO PARTIES, RULINGS AND RELATED CASES [2167655] filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 04/08/2026 ] [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 04/08/2026 03:34 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

1208838613

STATEMENT OF ISSUES [2167656] filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 04/08/2026 ] [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 04/08/2026 03:38 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

RECAP
1208838616

UNDERLYING DECISION IN CASE [2167657] submitted by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 04/08/2026 ] [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 04/08/2026 03:40 PM]

1 Certificate of Underlying Decisions

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2 Exhibit 1

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3 Exhibit 2

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4 Exhibit 3

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April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

1208838622

STATEMENT OF INTENT REGARDING APPENDIX DEFERRAL [2167658] filed by Anthropic PBC [Service Date: 04/08/2026 ] Intent: AppxDeferred [26-1049] (Dunbar, Kelly) [Entered: 04/08/2026 03:42 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

RECAP
1208838678

PER CURIAM ORDER (with Per Curiam Statement attached) [2167684] filed granting motions to participate as amicus curiae [2164155-2], [2164113-2], [2163923-2], [2163913-2], [2163907-2], granting motion to participate as amicus curiae [2163901-2], [2163273-2], [2163178-2]; The Clerk is directed to file the lodged Amicus briefs [2164233-2], [2164156-2], [2164145-2], [2164098-2], [2163924-2], [2163914-2], [2163300-2], [2163215-2]; denying emergency motion for stay pending appeal [2163176-2], setting briefing schedule: PETITIONER Brief due 04/22/2026. APPENDIX due 04/22/2026. Brief(s) of Amicus Curiae, if any, Supporting Petitioner due 04/22/2026. RESPONDENT Brief due on 05/06/2026. Briefs(s) of Amicus Curiae, if any, Supporting Respondents due 05/06/2026. PETITIONER Reply Brief due 05/13/2026 (SEE ORDER FOR DETAILS), scheduling oral argument on Tuesday, 05/19/2026. Before Judges: Henderson, Katsas and Rao. [26-1049] [Entered: 04/08/2026 05:31 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

RECAP

PER ABOVE ORDER lodged Amicus brief [2164233-2], Amicus brief [2164156-2], Amicus brief [2164145-2], Amicus brief [2164098-2], Amicus brief [2163924-2], Amicus brief [2163914-2], Amicus brief [2163300-2], Amicus brief [2163215-2] is filed [26-1049]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

PER ABOVE ORDER lodged Amicus brief [2164233-2], Amicus brief [2164156-2], Amicus brief [2164145-2], Amicus brief [2164098-2], Amicus brief [2163924-2], Amicus brief [2163914-2], Amicus brief [2163300-2], Amicus brief [2163215-2] is filed [26-1049] [Entered: 04/08/2026 05:34 PM]

April 8, 2026

April 8, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

National Security

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 9, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Anthropic PBC, a privately held public benefit artificial intelligence corporation

Plaintiff Type(s):

Public (for-profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

PETER B. HEGSETH

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF WAR

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit 26-01049

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Website

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Access to information systems

Recommended Citation