Former Air Force Secretary To Sue Trump Admin Over Loss of Security Clearance

President Donald Trump’s administration is continuing its effort to remove security privileges from former officials accused of mishandling classified information or undermining the president’s national-security agenda.

The latest official affected is former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, who served under former President Joe Biden.

Earlier this week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revoked Kendall’s security clearance over allegations that he disclosed classified information concerning the capabilities of the Boeing 747 provided by Qatar for presidential use.

Kendall denies leaking classified material and now plans to sue the Trump administration.

Pentagon Revokes Kendall’s Access

Kendall was quoted last month by The New York Times discussing the Qatari aircraft, which the administration intends to use as Air Force One during the remainder of Trump’s term.

He reportedly said the plane lacked defensive capabilities normally found aboard aircraft used to transport American presidents.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the clearance revocation on X.

“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,” Parnell wrote.

The Pentagon emphasized that access to national-security information is a privilege dependent upon maintaining the government’s trust.

“Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty,” Parnell said.

“Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it,” he added.

Officials have released few details about precisely what information Kendall allegedly disclosed or where it appeared. The department maintains that the matter involved capabilities associated with one of the world’s most recognizable and security-sensitive aircraft.

Kendall Plans Legal Challenge

Kendall has denied revealing classified information and told CNN on Monday that he intends to challenge the administration in court.

“As my mother taught me years ago, you stand up to bullies,” Kendall said.

National-security attorney Mark Zaid confirmed on X that Kendall had retained him.

“More to come,” Zaid wrote.

Zaid regularly represents military personnel and civilian officials involved in security-clearance investigations and reviews. He previously sued the Trump administration after losing his own clearance.

That history makes Kendall’s choice of counsel particularly significant.

Trump Previously Targeted Zaid’s Clearance

In a March 2025 executive order, Trump identified Zaid among several individuals whose continued access to classified information was deemed “no longer in the national interest.”

The order also named former President Biden, members of the Biden family, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In August 2025, Trump revoked the clearances of another 37 current and former national-security officials.

Several had been involved in politically contentious intelligence matters, including the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election with the intention of assisting Trump’s campaign.

The administration has argued that former government officials are not automatically entitled to retain access to classified material after leaving public service—particularly when their conduct raises concerns about trust, impartiality or the protection of sensitive information.

Qatar Aircraft Draws Security Scrutiny

The administration has also pushed back against reports questioning the security of the Boeing 747 provided by Qatar.

Trump plans to use the aircraft as Air Force One for the remainder of his term, but critics have raised concerns about whether it contains the defensive and communications systems required to protect a sitting president.

Last month, the Justice Department subpoenaed New York Times reporters who published stories examining those concerns, including claims that the aircraft lacks some of the advanced defensive systems installed on the current presidential fleet.

The subpoenas were subsequently withdrawn after a federal judge criticized the government’s handling of the matter and questioned the legal process used to seek information from the journalists.

Earlier in July, Kendall told The Wall Street Journal that completely modifying a Boeing 747 with the protective capabilities required for presidential travel should take approximately three to four years.

The Pentagon has not publicly established which of Kendall’s statements it considers classified or explained how they may have compromised national security.

Former Obama and Biden Defense Official

Before serving as Biden’s Air Force secretary, Kendall held several senior positions within the Department of Defense.

During the Obama administration, he served as undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, giving him extensive knowledge of sensitive military procurement and weapons programs.

That background also means Kendall would have understood the strict obligations accompanying access to classified information.

His planned lawsuit could now force the administration to provide additional details about its allegations—or defend its decision without publicly revealing the very information it says must remain protected.

The dispute represents another confrontation between Trump and former officials from Democratic administrations who retained access to the national-security establishment after leaving office.

For the Trump administration, the principle is straightforward: Security clearances are not lifetime entitlements. Anyone accused of betraying the government’s trust should expect their continued access to be scrutinized and, when warranted, revoked.