Pentagon strips Frank Kendall clearance over Air Force One leak claim

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed the decision Friday, saying Kendall was also barred from positions requiring access to classified information or other sensitive material. However, the Pentagon has not publicly identified the information Kendall allegedly disclosed or the media organization involved.

“Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty,” Parnell said in a post on X, adding that those who violate that responsibility lose the privilege of classified access.

The controversy centers on a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and subsequently modified for presidential use. Kendall, who served as Air Force secretary under former President Joe Biden, was quoted by The New York Times discussing the aircraft and the limited timeline available for its conversion.