The Defense Department revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information on Friday, accusing the Biden administration official of leaking sensitive details about Air Force One to an unidentified media outlet.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the decision to pull Mr. Kendall’s security clearance also bars him from holding any government-related sensitive position.
“This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet,” Mr. Parnell said in a statement. “Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”
The Pentagon did not provide details about the leaks. Still, President Trump’s decision to accept a Boeing 747-8 luxury jumbo jet from Qatar to serve as a temporary presidential plane has drawn significant press scrutiny. The jet, officially known as the VC-25B Bridge aircraft, reportedly lacks several defensive capabilities needed to protect the president, such as missile-warning systems, advanced anti-missile countermeasures and infrared jammers.
Mr. Trump used the Qatari jet to fly to the July 7-8 NATO summit in Turkey. Mr. Kendall told National Public Radio last month that he doubted it could have been brought up to Air Force One standards in time.
“A month is not enough time to do anything significant. Software could be done. Software changes can be made relatively easily anyplace,” he told NPR. “Hardware modifications? I’m having a hard time imagining any that could be done in a month that are of any serious significance.”
A longstanding tradition in Washington allows some high-ranking, former senior officials from past presidential administrations to retain active security clearances after they leave office. An incoming administration often consults with former leaders to understand past decisions or historical operations.
Allowing them to maintain access to classified information allows current leaders to quickly bring a former official into classified briefings if a crisis arises.
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