Pentagon revokes former Air Force Secretary Kendall's security clearance over alleged leak
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s security clearance, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One’s capabilities—specifically regarding a Qatari-donated Boeing 747—to media outlets. Kendall, who served under Biden, expressed bewilderment, claiming he avoided revealing classified details. The move continues the Trump administration’s pattern of stripping clearances from former Biden officials.
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Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to Sue Trump Administration Over Revoked Security Clearance
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall announced he will sue the Trump administration to restore his security clearance, which was revoked on August 8, 2026, after he allegedly disclosed sensitive information about the Qatari-gifted jet now serving as Air Force One. Kendall, who served under President Joe Biden, denied the allegations and stated, 'As my mother taught me years ago, you stand up to bullies.' He has hired national security attorney Mark Zaid, who previously sued the administration after his own clearance was revoked. The Trump administration has a pattern of stripping clearances from perceived critics, including an August 2025 revocation of clearances for 37 current and former national security officials. The controversy is linked to Trump's efforts to suppress reports of problems with the Qatari-gifted jet, which lacks advanced anti-missile technology. The Justice Department had previously subpoenaed New York Times reporters covering the jet's security concerns but later withdrew the subpoenas after judicial criticism.
Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's Security Clearance
The Pentagon has revoked the security clearance of former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, accusing him of disclosing classified information about the VC-25B 'Bridge' Air Force One aircraft. The allegation stems from a July 9 New York Times article in which Kendall was quoted discussing missing features on the modified Boeing 747-8, though he did not specify classified details. Kendall, who served under President Biden and has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, denies the charge and plans legal action. The Pentagon's chief spokesman stated that safeguarding classified information is non-negotiable. The revocation follows a pattern of political clearance revocations, including Trump's earlier removal of John Brennan's clearance and Biden's revocation of Trump's intelligence briefings. Kendall has held a security clearance for 60 years and argues he has been extremely careful not to disclose classified information.
Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's Security Clearance
The Pentagon has revoked the security clearance of former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, alleging he disclosed classified information about the VC-25B 'Bridge' Air Force One aircraft. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the decision on August 7, stating Kendall's eligibility for classified access and sensitive positions has been revoked. The alleged disclosure appears linked to a July 9 New York Times article where Kendall was quoted saying the rapid modification process meant the aircraft lacked some typical Air Force One features. Kendall, who served under President Biden, denies revealing classified information and says he plans legal action. He has held a security clearance for 60 years. The revocation is part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration, which has also revoked clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials. Kendall has been a vocal critic of President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and recently published a book on autonomous warfare.
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Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's Security Clearance
The Pentagon revoked the security clearance of former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on August 7, alleging he disclosed classified information about the VC-25B 'Bridge' Air Force One aircraft. Kendall, who served under President Biden, was quoted in a July 9 New York Times article saying the rapid modification process meant the aircraft lacked some typical Air Force One features. He denies revealing classified information and plans legal action, stating he has been 'extremely careful' and has not been told what he allegedly disclosed. The revocation follows a pattern of political clearance revocations, including Trump's earlier actions against former CIA Director John Brennan and Biden's revocation of Trump's intelligence briefings. Kendall has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and recently published a book on autonomous warfare.
Pentagon revokes security clearance from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
The Pentagon revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, who served as U.S. Air Force Secretary under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One's capabilities to a news outlet. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the immediate forfeiture of Kendall's access to classified material and any sensitive position, citing an unauthorized disclosure. Kendall, who now serves on the Air & Space Forces Association board and as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was recently quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal expressing concerns about the modified Boeing 747's security features and its use by President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions with Iran. The temporary jet has faced scrutiny over its modifications and scheduling delays for new VC-25B aircraft.
Pentagon revokes security clearance from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
The Pentagon has revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, who served as U.S. Air Force Secretary from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One's capabilities to a news outlet. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the decision on social media, stating Kendall's access to classified information and eligibility for sensitive positions are forfeited effective immediately. Kendall, who now serves as a national director on the Air & Space Forces Association board and a nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was recently quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal expressing skepticism about the modification schedule of a Qatari-donated Boeing 747 used as Air Force One. The jet has faced scrutiny over its use by President Donald Trump amid tensions with Iran and delays in delivery of new VC-25B aircraft.
Pentagon revokes security clearance from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
The Pentagon revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, who served as U.S. Air Force Secretary under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One's capabilities to a news outlet. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the decision on social media, stating Kendall's access to classified information and eligibility for sensitive positions are forfeit effective immediately. Kendall, now a national director on the Air & Space Forces Association board and a nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was recently quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal expressing skepticism about the modification schedule and security features of a Qatari-donated jet used by President Donald Trump. The temporary Boeing 747 has faced scrutiny amid delays in the delivery of new VC-25B aircraft and heightened tensions with Iran. Kendall's comments included concerns about the jet's use outside the U.S. and whether it was fully equipped for presidential security.
Pentagon revokes security clearance from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
The Pentagon revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, former U.S. Air Force Secretary under President Joe Biden, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One's capabilities to a news outlet. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the revocation on social media, stating Kendall's access to classified information and sensitive positions is forfeit effective immediately. Kendall, who served from 2021 to 2025, was recently quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal expressing skepticism about the modification schedule of a Qatari-donated jet used by President Donald Trump. The jet, a temporary Boeing 747, has faced scrutiny over its use by Trump amid escalating tensions with Iran. Kendall now serves on the Air & Space Forces Association board and as a nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Pentagon revokes security clearance from former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall
The Pentagon revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, who served as U.S. Air Force Secretary under President Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025, alleging he disclosed classified information about Air Force One's capabilities to a news outlet. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the revocation on social media, stating Kendall's access to classified information and eligibility for sensitive positions are forfeit effective immediately. Kendall, now a national director on the Air & Space Forces Association board and a nonresident senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, was recently quoted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal expressing skepticism about the modification schedule of a Qatari-donated Boeing 747 used temporarily as Air Force One. The jet has faced scrutiny over its use by President Donald Trump amid escalating tensions with Iran. Kendall told the Times that security, communications, and support features were missing from the plane due to time constraints.
Pentagon strips security clearance from former Air Force secretary
The Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has revoked the security clearance of former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The action was taken after Kendall allegedly disclosed classified information regarding the capabilities of Air Force One, specifically related to a deal with Qatar. Multiple news outlets, including The Washington Post, CBS News, and The Independent, report that the revocation is a punitive measure linked to leaks about the presidential aircraft's capabilities. The move underscores the Trump administration's focus on enforcing classification rules and targeting officials from the previous Biden administration.
Pentagon revokes former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's access to classified information
The Pentagon revoked former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's eligibility to access classified information and barred him from sensitive positions, alleging he disclosed sensitive details about the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One's capabilities to the media. The revocation follows New York Times reporting on security concerns regarding the aircraft, including its lack of advanced antimissile features. Kendall expressed bewilderment, stating he was careful not to reveal classified information. The Justice Department had previously subpoenaed Times reporters to identify sources but withdrew after criticism. The Trump administration has a history of revoking security clearances, including 37 former officials last year and Gen. Mark Milley's clearance.
Hegseth Strips Security Clearance From Biden’s Air Force Secretary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has revoked the security clearance of former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who served under the Biden administration. The revocation is reportedly linked to Kendall's disclosure of classified information regarding the capabilities of Air Force One. Multiple news outlets, including WSJ, CNN, Fox News, and CBS News, confirmed the Pentagon's action. Kendall, who led the Air Force from 2021 to 2025, lost access to classified materials as a result. The move underscores the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to review and revoke security clearances of former officials from the previous administration, particularly those involved in sensitive national security matters.