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Pentagon revokes ex-Air Force secretary’s access over leaks
The Pentagon has revoked former US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's access to classified information and barred him from sensitive roles, accusing him of an unauthorised disclosure about Air Force One's capabilities.…
The Story in Brief
The Pentagon has revoked former US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's access to classified information and barred him from sensitive roles, accusing him of an unauthorised disclosure about Air Force One's capabilities. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the action on X, saying safeguarding classified information is a "non-negotiable duty". Kendall told the AP he was "completely mystified" and denied revealing anything classified.
The move follows reporting by The New York Times that the Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet lacks some security features of older models. Kendall had previously told the Times that using the aircraft overseas was surprising given security concerns. The Justice Department had subpoenaed reporters over the leaks but later withdrew.
The Indian Opinion
The Pentagon's swift revocation of Frank Kendall's clearance feeds a familiar script: punish the messenger to protect the boss. But the underlying story, a $400 million retrofit that left a presidential jet less secure than its predecessor, deserves scrutiny, not deflection. Kendall's reported comments were cautious, not reckless. Whether the Pentagon can produce a specific classified statement he made, or simply retaliates against uncomfortable facts, will test whether "non-negotiable duty" applies to transparency or only to silence. Watch for any criminal referral.
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
