Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's Security Clearance

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's "eligibility" to access classified information and barred him from holding "any sensitive position," alleging Friday that he disclosed sensitive information about Air Force One's capabilities to the media.

The action follows reporting last month, including by The New York Times, on security concerns surrounding the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One, including that it lacked the advanced antimissile capabilities of its predecessor.

The plane underwent a $400 million retrofit and upgrade and has been put into service domestically. President Donald Trump also flew on it to Turkey last month. But he used an older Air Force One jet to leave the NATO summit, as the United States launched airstrikes on Iran and Tehran attacked three Gulf Arab states.

The Times reported that Trump made the switch at the urging of the Secret Service, and that the newer plane lacked some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft. Trump denied to reporters that the swap was due to security concerns, though he also said he is under threat "all the time" and is Iran's "No. 1" target.

In the Times article, Kendall, who served under President Joe Biden, was quoted as saying the time available for upgrades would not have been enough for "all the normal Air Force One modifications," and that he was surprised the plane was used outside the United States.

In response to the reporting, the Justice Department subpoenaed Times reporters to try to compel them to identify their sources, stirring fears over press freedoms. After criticism from the judge over sloppy legal work, the department withdrew the subpoenas last month.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell did not specify in a post on X which outlet Kendall was accused of sharing classified information with. "Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty," he wrote. "Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it."

Kendall did not immediately respond to a call and text seeking comment.

It is not the first such move by the Trump administration, which revoked the clearances of 37 then-current and former national security officials last year. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pulled security protections and clearance for retired Gen. Mark Milley, the former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, soon after the administration took office.

Parnell did not say whether Kendall was being referred for prosecution, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions on the subject. Such accusations are typically paired with referrals for prosecution over violations of the Espionage Act.