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SecWar Hegseth revokes access for former Secretary of the Air Force over AF1 leak

August 8, 2026 | | Print Article

Yet another leak was reportedly plugged as the Department of War alleged a former official from the Biden era may have put the president’s safety at risk.

Since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, stopping those with access to inside information from feeding corporate media has been a focus for the administration. Friday, President Joe Biden’s Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall became the latest individual to lose security clearances as the Pentagon deemed him responsible for spilling classified details about Air Force One.

In a statement posted to social media, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell revealed, “Effective immediately, the Department of War has REVOKED former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s eligibility for access to classified information and his ability to hold any sensitive position.”

“This action follows his unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One’s capabilities to a media outlet,” continued Parnell. “Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.”

Though the senior advisor to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not disclose what Kendall allegedly leaked or to which outlet, Kendall had been quoted among other former officials in both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal in reports about Air Force One’s capabilities compared to previous models.

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In July, the Justice Department withdrew subpoenas issued to Times reporters over publishing alleged security issues with the president’s plane after Judge Arun Subramanian — who previously presided over Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial — chastised the attorneys for allegedly failing “basic compliance with the law” based on the timing of the subpoenas.

Prior to his appointment by Biden, Kendall was appointed by President Barack Obama as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics as he returned to government service after time working for Raytheon.

Offering his own statement on the matter of his revocation, Kendall asserted to CNN on Friday, “I’ve been extremely careful to not say anything that could be classified, and as far as I know I have not said anything classified. So far no one has told me what I’m supposed to have revealed.”

“I have, of course, been very critical of the Trump administration ever since I left office in Jan. 2025,” he went on to admit.

The apparent accountability for the leak about Air Force One comes in the wake of the president announcing his intent to put other leakers, alleging details about America’s current stockpile of munitions, behind bars as another round of strikes in Iran were called off after those too had circulated.

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Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social, “The U.S. has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types. Additionally, large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history. The ‘leakers’ of these treasonous statements are being hunted down. Long term jail sentences will be sought!”

Kevin Haggerty
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