The controversy surrounding the Qatari-donated Air Force One has taken another turn after the Pentagon revoked the security clearance of Frank Kendall, a former Air Force secretary who had publicly raised concerns about the aircraft. The decision has sparked criticism because Kendall was warning about the plane’s shortcomings—not creating them.

Donald Trump initially used the donated aircraft during a trip to Turkey but chose an older Air Force One for the return journey. Trump said the switch was simply for “old times’ sake,” but reports later indicated that the newer plane lacked some of the secure communications systems and military defenses normally required for presidential travel.

Kendall, who previously supervised the presidential aircraft modernization project, told The New York Times that the plane had not received all of its normal modifications and was missing certain security, communications, and support capabilities. He later warned that the aircraft had significant “shortfalls” compared with Air Force One and could present additional risk. The Pentagon subsequently accused him of leaking classified information and revoked his clearance.

Kendall says he is “mystified” by the decision and insists he was extremely careful not to reveal anything classified. So far, he says, officials have not even told him exactly what information he supposedly disclosed. Critics argue that if the aircraft truly had security deficiencies, the focus should be on why the plane was used before those problems were resolved—not on punishing someone who publicly warned about them.