Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s Security Clearance Over Alleged Air Force One Leak

The Pentagon has revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information, accusing the Biden-era official of making an unauthorized disclosure about the capabilities of Air Force One to the media.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced Friday that Kendall’s eligibility to access classified material had been revoked effective immediately. The department also barred him from holding any sensitive government position, saying officials entrusted with classified information have an obligation to protect it.

Kendall served as Air Force secretary under President Joe Biden from 2021 until 2025. The Pentagon did not publicly identify the specific statement it considers classified, but the action follows recent reporting about security capabilities aboard the Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and converted for use as Air Force One.

The aircraft underwent approximately $400 million in modifications before entering service. Questions about its capabilities intensified after President Donald Trump switched to an older Air Force One while leaving a NATO summit as the United States launched strikes against Iran. Reports said the decision came amid concerns that the newer aircraft lacked some of the advanced defensive capabilities available aboard the older presidential jet.

Kendall had been quoted discussing the aircraft and the unusually short timeline available to prepare it for presidential service. He said there had not been enough time to complete all of the modifications normally associated with Air Force One and expressed surprise that the aircraft had been used outside the United States.

Kendall has denied knowingly revealing classified information. He said he was “completely mystified” by the Pentagon’s decision and maintained that he has always been extremely careful when discussing sensitive national security matters publicly. He also said officials had not told him exactly what information he was accused of improperly disclosing.

The Air Force has defended the rapid conversion of the Qatari aircraft, saying the work was completed without compromising security, safety or secure communications. Officials have acknowledged, however, that certain complex modifications planned for newly manufactured Air Force One aircraft were deliberately excluded from the converted jet.

The controversy comes as War Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Trump administration intensify efforts to crack down on leaks of sensitive military information. Hegseth has established a joint effort with the Justice Department aimed at identifying individuals responsible for unauthorized disclosures involving national security matters.

It remains unclear whether the allegations against Kendall will lead to criminal proceedings. For now, the Pentagon’s action strips the former Biden administration official of his ability to access classified information and signals that the Trump administration intends to take an aggressive approach toward officials it believes improperly disclosed sensitive military information.