Pentagon revokes security clearance of former Air Force chief

The Pentagon has invalidated former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's clearance to access classified information and barred him from sensitive roles, alleging he disclosed sensitive details about Air Force One's capabilities to the media. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed this decision on social media, stating it followed unauthorized disclosures to a media outlet.

This comes after recent reports, including from The New York Times, highlighting security concerns surrounding the newly gifted Air Force One from Qatar. Critics pointed out the plane, despite a $400 million upgrade, still lacked advanced antimissile capabilities of its predecessor. Kendall expressed confusion over the revocation, asserting he had always avoided discussing classified information.

The plane, a Qatari gift, underwent significant retrofitting and entered service domestically, with President Trump using it for a trip to Turkey last month for the NATO summit. However, he opted for an older model on his return due to a credible threat from Iran, which led the Secret Service to switch to a backup plan. The new plane, despite its upgrades, is missing certain desired features, according to U.S. officials.

President Trump denied security concerns as the cause, though he admitted to facing threats "all the time," including being Iran's "No. 1" target. The White House announced Trump's continued use of the older plane while the Qatari-donated aircraft received further enhancements in the fall, estimated to take one month. Kendall, who served under President Joe Biden, claimed he was "completely mystified" by the revocation, emphasizing his commitment to not disclosing classified information.

The Justice Department then issued a subpoena to The Times to identify its sources, sparking concerns over press freedoms. The department later withdrew the subpoenas following criticism and legal scrutiny. The Air Force argued that the rapid conversion of the jet, despite its hastiness, did not compromise security, safety, or secure communications.

However, it acknowledged the plane's absence of some modifications, such as wider doors and multiple stairs. The Pentagon has not specified which media outlet Kendall allegedly shared classified information with and declined further details, noting that typical violations of the Espionage Act could result in prosecution.