OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs addressed recent ICE operations in Minneapolis after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens, prompting tech worker backlash. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei condemned the violence in an NBC News segment and on X, stressing the need to defend democratic values at home.
I’ve been working on this essay for a while, and it is mainly about AI and about the future. But given the horror we’re seeing in Minnesota, its emphasis on the importance of preserving democratic values and rights at home is particularly relevant.
— Dario Amodei (@DarioAmodei) January 26, 2026
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed similar concerns internally in a leaked Slack message, calling current ICE actions “going too far” and emphasizing the difference between deporting violent criminals and broader enforcement measures.
Tech employees at both companies are urging executives to call the White House, cancel ICE contracts, and speak publicly against the raids. ICEout.tech organizers said while Altman and Amodei’s statements are welcomed, major tech leaders at Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta remain largely silent.
The CEOs’ positions are tempered by praise for President Trump’s responses, highlighting the delicate balance between company interests and political considerations. Both firms have benefited from AI-focused policies under the administration, with OpenAI raising at least $40 billion and Anthropic $19 billion in funding over the past year. Analysts note that even internal critiques are significant given the stakes for these fast-growing companies.
