Pentagon strips ex-Air Force secy of security clearance over Air Force One claim

Former Air Force secretary Frank Kendall has been stripped of his security clearance and barred from from holding “any sensitive position," after the Pentagon accused him of sharing classified details about Air Force One's capabilities with the media. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the action on Friday, saying it was effective immediately. “Effective immediately, the Department of War has REVOKED former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position,” Parnell wrote on X. Parnell did not identify the outlet Kendall allegedly shared the information with. Kendall told news agency AP late Friday that he was “completely mystified” by the revocation. The move follows reporting last month, including by The New York Times, about security concerns surrounding the new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar. The aircraft underwent a $400 million retrofit and has been used domestically, while US president Donald Trump also flew on it to Turkey last month. “I’ve always been extremely careful to not say anything classified, and as far as I know I have not,” Kendall told AP, adding, “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 Times reported last month that the new aircraft lacked some of the advanced security features of the older Air Force One jets. Two former Air Force officials told the newspaper they were surprised Trump had used the new aircraft overseas, where security risks were greater. Kendall, who served under former president Joe Biden, was quoted by The New York Times as saying, “Time didn’t permit all the normal Air Force One modifications, so some mix of security, communications and support is missing.” “With the Iran situation, this could be of concern,” Kendall said. “Frankly, I’m surprised to see this plane used outside the U.S.” Kendall had been in charge of the Air Force when the department was pressing Boeing to accelerate its delayed contract for two new Air Force One aircraft. He later told US media organisations that the Qatari aircraft would have required three to four years of modifications to meet the standards of the older Boeing 747s. Trump flew the Qatari aircraft to Turkey for a Nato summit but later switched to an older Air Force One aircraft to leave the summit as the US launched airstrikes on Iran and Tehran attacked three Gulf Arab states. Trump reportedly made the switch at the urging of the Secret Service. He later denied that the change was prompted by security concerns, while saying he was under threat “all the time” and was Iran’s “No. 1” target. The Air Force has defended the rapid conversion of the aircraft, saying it was carried out “without accepting any risk regarding security, safety, or secure communications”. It has, however, acknowledged differences in the aircraft’s capabilities. The Air Force said “several highly complex engineering modifications” required for the new US-made Air Force One aircraft were deliberately excluded from the Qatari jet’s conversion. It also acknowledged that the aircraft did not receive wider exit doors or multiple stairs built into its hull. The dispute has also drawn attention to the government’s handling of media reporting on the aircraft. The Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times reporters seeking to compel them to identify sources behind the reporting. The subpoenas were withdrawn last month after criticism from a judge over the department’s legal work. Parnell said the Pentagon considered protection of classified information a fundamental obligation. “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.” However, this is not an isolated incident, the Trump administration has previously revoked security clearances from current and former national security officials. Parnell did not say whether Kendall’s case would be referred for prosecution, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions on the matter. Such allegations can lead to criminal referrals over suspected violations of the Espionage Act. The Obama administration had charged former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden after he leaked US surveillance secrets and fled to Russia. More recently, a Massachusetts Air National Guard member received 15 years in prison in 2024 for leaking classified Ukraine war documents, described as a major national security breach.