Pentagon strips former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall of security clearance
The Trump administration revoked Kendall's access to classified material after reporting on Air Force One's defenses, which he denies leaking.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 7 items across 3 sources · 19h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
The Pentagon announced Friday it revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's eligibility for classified access and barred him from sensitive positions, alleging he disclosed classified details about the Qatari-gifted Air Force One's capabilities to the media. The move follows New York Times reporting, which Kendall was quoted in, on the plane's lack of advanced antimissile defenses compared to the older jet, reporting that also prompted a since-withdrawn DOJ subpoena of Times journalists. Kendall says he is "completely mystified" and maintains he never revealed classified information.
- The Pentagon revoked Frank Kendall's classified access and barred him from sensitive positions, citing unauthorized disclosure about Air Force One's capabilities.
- The action follows NYT reporting that the Qatari-gifted Air Force One lacks advanced antimissile defenses of the older jet, reporting that also led to now-withdrawn DOJ subpoenas of Times reporters.
- Kendall denies revealing classified information and says no specifics have been given to him about what he allegedly disclosed.
- The revocation fits a broader pattern of the Trump administration pulling security clearances from current and former officials, including Gen. Mark Milley.
How it unfolded
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Reaction Continued public criticism
Further Bluesky commentary suggested the pattern of firings and clearance revocations could 'backfire' on the administration.
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Reaction Social media reaction spreads
Bluesky users shared and criticized the revocation, framing it as retaliation tied to the Qatari plane bribery allegation.
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Event Pentagon revokes Kendall's clearance
The Pentagon announced it revoked Kendall's eligibility for classified access and barred him from any sensitive position, alleging unauthorized disclosure about Air Force One's capabilities.
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Reaction Kendall responds
Kendall told the AP he was "completely mystified" by the revocation and insisted he never disclosed classified information.
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Event Trump switches planes at NATO summit
Trump used an older Air Force One jet to leave the NATO summit rather than the newer Qatari plane, amid U.S. airstrikes on Iran and Iranian strikes on Gulf Arab states; he denied the switch was security-related.
- 5 weeks quiet
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Report NYT reports on Air Force One security gaps
The New York Times reported that the Qatari-gifted Air Force One lacked advanced antimissile capabilities of its predecessor, quoting Kendall on the retrofit's limitations.
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Event DOJ subpoenas NYT reporters
The Justice Department subpoenaed the Times' reporters to try to identify their sources, raising press freedom concerns; the subpoenas were later withdrawn after judicial criticism.
What people are saying verbatim
“I’ve always been extremely careful to not say anything classified, and as far as I know I have not.”
Frank Kendall, Former Air Force Secretary · Associated Press · Aug 7
“No one has said anything to me about what I’m asserted to have revealed and I can’t imagine what it could be.”
Frank Kendall, Former Air Force Secretary · Associated Press · Aug 7
“I’ve been comfortable being on the record with reporters and on national television about the Qatari 747 because I’m confident that I haven’t said anything classified.”
Frank Kendall, Former Air Force Secretary · Associated Press · Aug 7
“Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”
Sean Parnell, Chief Pentagon spokesperson · X (Twitter), via AP News · Aug 7
“I have a strange feeling that all of these firings and revoking people's security clearances is going to backfire hard on them.”
@canaansdad1987.bsky.social, Bluesky user · Bluesky · Aug 8
Voices from the web unedited
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I have a strange feeling that all of these firings and revoking people's security clearances is going to backfire hard on them. #USDemocracy
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Pentagon tries to hide unclassified records from FOIA https:// freedom.press/the-classifieds/ pentagon-tries-to-hide-unclassified-records-from-foia/
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Trump revokes former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information for telling everyone that the Qatari airplane he received as a bribe lacked advanced antimissile capabilities
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apnews.com/article/air-... Pentagon revokes former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s access to classified information