Security clearance of former senior official revoked after suspicions of leaking classified information
The US Department of Defense has revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, former Secretary of the Air Force under Joe Biden, following allegations that he exposed classified information regarding the security capabilities of the 'Air Force One' aircraft gifted by Qatar.
An unusual affair is shaking the US Department of Defense: the Donald Trump administration has decided to revoke the security clearance of Frank Kendall, who served as Secretary of the Air Force during the presidency of Joe Biden. The Pentagon claims he exposed classified information to media outlets regarding the security capabilities of the 'Air Force One' aircraft.
The move follows remarks by Kendall in the 'New York Times' and the 'Wall Street Journal', in which he referred to the Boeing 747 aircraft gifted to the United States by Qatar and used by President Donald Trump. Kendall raised questions regarding the speed at which the aircraft was adapted for presidential use and the scope of the security systems installed in it.
The department's spokesperson, Sean Parnell, announced that Kendall is losing access to classified information, citing the "unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding the capabilities of Air Force One." According to him, maintaining classified information is "a non-negotiable duty."
"So far, no one has told me what exactly it is alleged that I disclosed," Kendall stated in a conversation with the 'Washington Post', rejecting the claims.
He admitted to being a vocal critic of the Donald Trump administration and clarified that he is considering legal options following the decision of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Behind the confrontation lies a sensitive issue regarding the Qatari aircraft itself. Since the deal was revealed, it has raised legal, ethical, and security questions. Concerns gained further validity after Donald Trump replaced the aircraft he used for part of the way back from the NATO summit in Turkey at the last minute. Although the President denied that the decision stemmed from security concerns, he noted that Iran could have attempted to target his plane.
Following these developments, the White House announced that the Qatari aircraft will undergo "additional upgrades and improvements" expected to last about a month. In the meantime, Donald Trump is expected to return to using the older Air Force One aircraft. The Pentagon's decision against Kendall highlights a growing confrontation between the current administration and senior defense officials from the previous one.
