The Pentagon has revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, the former Secretary of the Air Force who served during the Biden administration, officials confirmed Thursday. The action strips Kendall of his classified access following what reports indicate were disclosures connected to Air Force One.
Kendall led the Air Force from 2021 to 2025, overseeing the service branch during a period of significant modernization efforts and heightened competition with China. The revocation of a former cabinet-level official's security clearance is an unusual step that drew coverage from outlets across the political spectrum.
Fox News specifically tied the revocation to disclosures Kendall allegedly made regarding Air Force One, though the precise nature of the information involved has not been fully detailed in public reporting. The Pentagon did not immediately elaborate on the specific grounds for the clearance revocation beyond confirming the action.
The move is part of a broader pattern under the current administration of reviewing and, in some cases, revoking clearances held by former national security officials from the previous administration. Kendall has not publicly responded to the revocation as of the time of this reporting.
Left-Leaning Emphasis
- ABC News reported the story in a straightforward wire-service format, focusing on the administrative action without emphasizing alleged wrongdoing.
- The Hill framed the revocation in the context of ongoing Pentagon personnel and security review actions, treating it as a significant but procedural development.
Right-Leaning Emphasis
- Fox News specifically highlighted the Air Force One disclosure angle in its headline, framing the revocation as a consequence of a specific alleged security breach.
- The Washington Examiner emphasized the loss of classified access in its framing, using language that underscores the severity of the action against the former official.