The Pentagon revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information on Friday, citing an unauthorized disclosure of classified details about Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
The revocation, effective immediately, also strips Kendall of his eligibility to hold any sensitive position. Kendall served as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration until early 2025, when he left office as the Trump administration took power.
The disclosure involved classified information about a Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8 aircraft that the Trump administration has been using as Air Force One. The New York Times had reported in July on security concerns surrounding the plane, noting that it lacked certain defensive capabilities of older Air Force One models, including midair refueling and missile defense systems. The Secret Service had advised Trump to continue using the older presidential aircraft, according to reporting at the time.
The Pentagon’s action against Kendall follows a broader leak investigation that the Trump administration launched in July. Federal prosecutors subpoenaed New York Times journalists who reported on the plane’s security shortcomings, seeking phone records and attempting to identify sources. The government argued the Times coverage posed a “substantial national security concern” about leaks of classified national defense information. The administration later dropped those subpoenas.
Kendall had publicly questioned the aircraft’s readiness. In July, he told reporters that he was “stunned” by the decision to use the Qatar-gifted plane and questioned whether it possessed “protective measures that Air Force One needs to have.” His comments came as Trump announced the plane would undergo month-long upgrades to address security gaps.
The revocation marks the latest in a series of clearance actions by the Trump administration’s Pentagon leadership. In January 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked the security clearance and detail for retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had been a vocal critic of Trump. That move also raised questions about the use of security clearance decisions as a political tool, though Hegseth cited national security concerns in justifying the action against Milley.
CNN reached out to Kendall for comment but had not received a response as of Friday evening. Kendall has not publicly confirmed the allegations or responded directly to the Pentagon’s claims.
Sources
- CNN — Pentagon revokes classified access for former Air Force secretary following unauthorized disclosure about Air Force One capabilities.
- Fox News — Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall loses security clearance eligibility over alleged unauthorized disclosure involving Air Force One.
- Politico — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked security detail and clearance for retired Gen. Mark Milley in January 2025.
- AP News — Department of Justice subpoenaed New York Times journalists over Air Force One security reporting in July 2026.
- BBC — Trump administration subpoenas New York Times over Air Force One leak reporting.
- NPR — Pentagon revokes Gen. Milley’s security detail following Trump administration actions.
- The Daily Beast — Frank Kendall expressed concerns about Trump’s decision to use Qatar-gifted jet as Air Force One.
