Kendall to sue Trump administration over security clearance revocation

Former United States Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has announced that he will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration to compel the restoration of his security clearance, which was revoked on Friday. The administration claimed that Mr. Kendall had disclosed sensitive information about the Qatar-donated aircraft that now serves as Air Force One.

Mr. Kendall, who was the top civilian official of the US Air Force under President Joe Biden, said on CNN on Monday that he would take legal action. He strongly denied the allegations, asserting that he had never revealed classified information. "As my mother taught me years ago, you stand up to bullies," he said.

To handle his case, Mr. Kendall has hired Mark Zaid, a prominent national security attorney whose own security clearance was revoked by the administration in 2025. Mr. Zaid confirmed the engagement on the social media platform X, writing, "More to come." He is widely known for representing military and civilian clients in security clearance disputes.

Mr. Zaid was among more than a dozen individuals named in a March 2025 executive order that declared them unsuitable to retain security clearances. The order, signed by President Trump, included former President Joe Biden and members of his family, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. It stated that retaining their clearances was "no longer in the national interest."

In August 2025, the administration revoked the clearances of 37 additional current and former national security officials. Many of these officials had worked on matters that have long been a source of friction for President Trump, such as the intelligence community's assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election in his favour.

The controversy surrounding Mr. Kendall's clearance is tied to the Qatari-gifted jet, which President Trump has used for official travel. Reports have highlighted concerns about the aircraft's safety and security features, particularly its lack of advanced anti-missile technology compared with the previous Air Force One. The Justice Department last month subpoenaed New York Times reporters who covered these issues. A federal judge criticised the legal work behind the subpoenas, and the government subsequently withdrew them.

Mr. Kendall, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, has had a long career in defence and national security. Before leading the Air Force, he served as Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. His lawsuit is expected to test the boundaries of presidential authority over security clearances, an area where courts have historically been deferential to the executive branch.

Legal experts note that while security clearance decisions are typically considered a presidential prerogative, courts have recently shown willingness to review cases involving allegations of retaliation. Mr. Zaid's own legal action, filed after his clearance was revoked, is one such example. The case has drawn attention from lawmakers and civil liberties groups concerned about the use of clearances as a political tool.

The lawsuit will proceed in federal court, with no timeline announced yet. It adds to a growing list of legal challenges against the administration's national security policies.