Pentagon Strips the Former Air Force Secretary of His Clearance, Naming Him the Source on the Qatari Jet

The Defense Department on Aug. 7, 2026 revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on X that the action followed what he called Kendall's unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One's capabilities to a media outlet, and identified Kendall as the source who told reporters that the Qatari-gifted jet lacked certain security features. Kendall served as secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2025.

The step extends an administration response to reporting on the Qatari aircraft that has already included subpoenas to four New York Times journalists. A clearance revocation is an administrative action and does not require any criminal finding.

The New York Times first reported in July that the Boeing 747-8 lacked advanced security features such as antimissile capabilities. Trump denied the report and called for leakers to be prosecuted; days later he said the plane would be taken out of commission to be upgraded. Kendall had told CNN the aircraft would take three to four years to reach Air Force One standards.