The Pentagon has revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's access to classified information and accused him of leaking sensitive details about Air Force One to reporters. The action was announced Friday by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
"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 stated on social media platform X. He added that Kendall's alleged unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One's capabilities to a media outlet led to the decision. Parnell emphasized that safeguarding classified information is a "non-negotiable duty" and that those who violate that trust forfeit their privileges.
Kendall served as the secretary of the Air Force from July 2021 to January 2025, during former President Joe Biden's administration. He did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This development follows a separate incident where the Trump administration subpoenaed several New York Times journalists. The subpoenas were issued after the outlet reported concerns that a $400 million Boeing 747 jet, reportedly gifted to President Trump by Qatar, was swapped out ahead of the commander-in-chief's return from a NATO summit in Turkey due to a "security precaution." The report cited lawmaker concerns that the refurbished presidential plane had not been "retrofitted with sufficient security measures" before entering service as Air Force One, and questioned whether "an advanced missile defense system and other modifications" had been installed on the jet. Trump reportedly flew into Turkey on the gifted jet but departed on a different aircraft.
Days after those subpoenas were issued, War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the formation of a joint task force with the Department of Justice. The task force's objective is to identify and prosecute officials who leak "sensitive information" to the media.