Ex-Air Force Secretary Plans to Sue Trump Administration Over Security Clearance Revocation

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall plans to sue the Trump administration.

Kendall, who served as the head of the Air Force under former President Joe Biden, said Monday on CNN that he intends to file suit to restore his security clearance after it was revoked on Friday. Accused of disclosing sensitive information regarding Air Force One, Kendall denied the accusations about the jet and said it was important to “stand up to bullies.”

His security clearance revocation came amid reports of security concerns regarding the jet that Qatar gifted Trump in 2025, that Trump intends to use as Air Force One for the remainder of his term in office.

Last month, the Justice Department subpoenaed multiple New York Times reporters who published stories about such concerns, including that it lacked the advanced antimissile capabilities of its predecessor. The government ultimately withdrew the subpoenas following criticism from a federal judge.

On Friday, the Pentagon barred Kendell from holding “any sensitive position” and said he had disclosed sensitive information to the media.

Kendall told The Associated Press late that day that he was “completely mystified” by the revocation.

“I’ve always been extremely careful to not say anything classified, and as far as I know I have not,” said Kendall, who was quoted in a New York Times article saying that the time for upgrades made to the plane would not have been enough for “all the normal Air Force One modifications” before Trump used it.

He was also reportedly surprised that the plane was used outside the U.S. He maintains his innocence.

“No one has said anything to me about what I’m asserted to have revealed, and I can’t imagine what it could be,” Kendall added.

Other Security Clearance Revocations

During his second term, Trump has rescinded other security clearances.

In August, a plan was announced to rescind the security clearances of 37 current and former national security officials, including officials who were on Biden’s national security team as well as at the CIA and National Security Agency.

Trump also made a separate order stripping Biden of his clearance, saying there was no need for him to continue receiving access to classified information. He also ended intelligence briefings for Biden in payback for Biden doing the same to him in 2021.

In a March order, former Biden administration officials, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, also saw their security clearances get revoked.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also pulled security protections and clearance for Gen. Mark Milley, the retired Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, soon after the administration took office.

National security attorney Mark Zaid wrote on X that Kendall had hired him.

“More to come,” said Zaid, whose own clearance was revoked by the Trump administration.