Now Reading: Pentagon revokes ex-Air Force chief’s clearance over Air Force One leak
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Pentagon revokes ex-Air Force chief’s clearance over Air Force One leak
Pentagon revokes ex-Air Force chief’s clearance over Air Force One leak
The Pentagon has revoked former US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's security clearance, accusing him of leaking sensitive details about the new Air Force One aircraft. The allegations relate to a Boeing…
The Story in Brief
The Pentagon has revoked former US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's security clearance, accusing him of leaking sensitive details about the new Air Force One aircraft. The allegations relate to a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar and modified for presidential use. Kendall was quoted by The New York Times discussing the aircraft's limited conversion timeline and capabilities. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty.
K Kendall has denied knowingly revealing classified information, saying he is 'completely mystified' by the decision. The Pentagon has not identified what information he allegedly disclosed or which media organisation received it. The case comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth intensifies a crackdown on unauthorised disclosures, though Hegseth himself faced scrutiny over using the Signal messaging app for sensitive plans in 2025.
The Indian Opinion
Two competing narratives are taking shape: that the Pentagon is rightly punishing a leak, and that the administration is selectively targeting a Biden appointee while overlooking Hegseth's own Signal misstep. The facts are thin. No charges have been filed, and the supposedly leaked information remains unnamed. A fair test will be whether the Justice Department proceeds with a criminal referral or the Pentagon releases a redacted version of what Kendall said. If none comes, this looks less about security and more about settling scores.
Sources (2): hindustantimes.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
