IC Workforce & Organization — 2026-08-08

Pentagon Revokes Former Air Force Secretary Kendall Classified Access Over Air Force One Disclosure

BLUFKendall's clearance revocation follows the administration's pattern of punitive administrative action against former officials, and a criminal referral by November 8 remains unlikely.

The Department of War revoked former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's eligibility for access to classified information and barred him from holding any sensitive position, effective immediately, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced Friday on X 1. Parnell said the action follows Kendall's "unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One's capabilities" to an unnamed media outlet, after reporting last month, including by The New York Times, raised security concerns about the Qatari-gifted jet 12. Kendall told the AP and CNN he was "completely mystified" by the revocation, saying he has been careful not to disclose anything classified and that no one has told him what he is alleged to have revealed 34. Parnell did not say whether Kendall faces a prosecution referral 23.

Analysis
A criminal referral against Kendall by November 8 is unlikely, since Parnell declined to confirm one and the administration has revoked clearances from dozens of officials, including General Milley, without follow-on prosecution in nearly every prior case. With no classified fact or damage specified, the action reads as an administrative sanction rather than an Espionage Act case, though the rhetoric may instead reflect retaliation against a vocal administration critic. Sourcing rests on a single Pentagon statement that AP, CBS, CNN, and The Hill merely restate and Kendall denies. The move marks the administration's first punitive step in the Qatari jet controversy. A confirmed referral would commit Justice Department resources and chill other officials from speaking, while absent one Kendall faces only reputational costs. Confidence is moderate: consistent Pentagon messaging, but sparse signs of prosecutorial intent.

5 sources