The Pentagon revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s security clearance on Friday over what officials say was an unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities, the latest in a series of clearance revocations targeting former Biden administration officials.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced the action in a statement, saying the revocation “follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet.” Kendall, who served under President Joe Biden, denied the accusation, telling the Associated Press he was “completely mystified” by the decision.
“I’ve always been extremely careful to not say anything classified, and as far as I know I have not,” Kendall said Friday. “No one has said anything to me about what I’m asserted to have revealed and I can’t imagine what it could be.”
The revocation follows reporting last month from The New York Times and other outlets about security gaps in the Qatar-gifted Air Force One. The aircraft, which underwent a $400 million retrofit, lacked the advanced antimissile countermeasures of its predecessor when it entered service. Kendall had spoken on the record with reporters about the plane’s capabilities, stating in a Times article that he was surprised the aircraft was used outside the United States given the time constraints for modifications.
In response to the initial reporting, the Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times reporters to compel them to reveal their sources. The department later withdrew the subpoenas after criticism from a federal judge over the legal work. Parnell’s statement did not specify which media outlet Kendall was accused of contacting, nor did the Pentagon indicate whether he was being referred for prosecution.
The Kendall clearance revocation is not an isolated action. In January 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked retired General Mark Milley’s security clearance and personal security detail. The Trump administration has also revoked clearances for former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and other high-ranking Biden officials since taking office. According to records cited by government watchdog groups, 281 security clearances were revoked between January 20 and March 24, 2025.
Parnell emphasized the administration’s stance on classified information, writing that “safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.” The Pentagon did not provide additional details about the specific classified information Kendall allegedly disclosed or whether criminal charges would follow.
Sources
- CBS News — Pentagon revocation of Kendall’s clearance, details of Air Force One security gaps, subpoena of Times reporters
- Fox News — Kendall’s response to the revocation and denial of wrongdoing
- The New York Times — July 2026 reporting on Air Force One’s defensive countermeasures and security concerns
- CNN — Pentagon announcement of the revocation and Parnell’s statement
- Politico — January 2025 revocation of General Mark Milley’s security clearance by Defense Secretary Hegseth
- Washington Post — Trump administration’s broader security clearance revocations of Biden officials
