The Pentagon has revoked former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s eligibility to access classified information, accusing him of making an unauthorised disclosure to the media concerning sensitive capabilities of Air Force One. The decision was announced by Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who said Kendall was also barred from holding sensitive positions.
The action places Kendall at the centre of a growing controversy over the handling of sensitive information surrounding a new presidential aircraft. The dispute reportedly involves a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar and subsequently modified for potential use by President Donald Trump. Reports have raised questions about whether the aircraft had all the defensive capabilities required of a presidential plane.
PENTAGON ACCUSES FORMER AIR FORCE SECRETARY
According to the Pentagon, Kendall disclosed classified information relating to the capabilities of Air Force One to a media outlet. The department has not publicly identified the specific information it believes Kendall revealed or provided details about what particular classified material was allegedly disclosed.
The allegation is particularly significant because information concerning the defensive systems and security capabilities of a presidential aircraft is highly sensitive. Pentagon officials have argued that unauthorised disclosure of classified information can compromise national security and therefore warrants serious consequences.
KENDALL DENIES DISCLOSING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION
Kendall, who served as Air Force secretary from 2021 until January 2025 under former President Joe Biden, has denied knowingly disclosing classified information. He said he had been extremely careful when speaking publicly and expressed confusion over the Pentagon’s decision, saying he had not been told what information he allegedly revealed.
Kendall’s government career includes several senior defence positions before becoming Air Force secretary. The U.S. Air Force records that he served as the department’s civilian leader from July 2021 to January 2025.
AIR FORCE ONE CONTROVERSY
The dispute comes amid scrutiny of a Qatari-gifted aircraft intended to be transformed into a presidential aircraft. Reports have questioned aspects of the plane’s security and defensive capabilities compared with the older Air Force One aircraft.
The aircraft reportedly underwent a major retrofit costing about $400 million. However, concerns were raised over whether it possessed some of the advanced defensive systems found on the existing presidential aircraft. The controversy intensified after President Trump used an older Air Force One rather than the newer aircraft for part of an international trip.
LEAK INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
The Kendall controversy also comes amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to investigate alleged leaks of sensitive government information to journalists.
The Justice Department had previously subpoenaed New York Times reporters in connection with reporting about the Qatari aircraft, prompting concerns from press-freedom advocates. Those subpoenas were later withdrawn.
The Pentagon has not said whether Kendall faces criminal prosecution over the allegation. For now, the immediate consequence is the loss of his eligibility to access classified information and his ability to hold sensitive positions.
POLITICAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS
The decision is likely to fuel debate over the treatment of former senior national security officials, the protection of classified information and the government’s efforts to identify sources behind sensitive media reports.
For the Pentagon, the issue is one of protecting national security information. For Kendall, however, the decision raises questions about what specific information he allegedly disclosed and whether the material he discussed was actually classified.
As the controversy develops, OGM News is likely to focus on whether the Pentagon will provide additional evidence supporting its allegation and whether further action will be taken against the former Air Force secretary.
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