Pentagon revokes former Air Force secretary’s security clearance

The Pentagon has revoked former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s security clearance over the disclosure of information concerning the capabilities of the presidential aircraft Air Force One, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said.

“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, Caliber.Az reports. 

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.

This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information…

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) August 7, 2026

He said that the action follows his unauthorised disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet.

"Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it,” Parnell wrote.

Kendall said in a July 10 interview with CNN that a Boeing aircraft provided by Qatar had not yet been equipped with all the systems installed on the current presidential aircraft. He declined to discuss details of its security measures, citing the classified nature of the information.

The development followed a July 9 report by The New York Times, which cited sources as saying that the U.S. Secret Service had recommended that President Donald Trump leave the NATO summit in Ankara aboard the original Air Force One rather than the aircraft provided by Qatar.

According to the report, the Qatari aircraft did not have all the capabilities of the current presidential aircraft.

Trump attributed the decision to change aircraft to “nostalgia” and a desire to show the aircraft gifted by Qatar to U.S. military personnel at Mildenhall Air Base in the United Kingdom.

Several days later, The New York Times reported that several of its journalists had received subpoenas requiring them to testify before a federal grand jury.

According to the newspaper, before publishing its report about the aircraft, the FBI cited national security concerns and demanded that the NYT halt publication and disclose its sources. The newspaper refused to comply.

By Sabina Mammadli