Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall III described the Department of Defense as "dysfunctional" during a Wednesday, Sept. 2 interview with CNN, accusing Secretary Pete Hegseth of doing "active harm" to the institution. Kendall stated that current leadership has created a "climate of fear" and argued that repairs to the department’s systems could take decades. The Hill reported it reached out to the Defense Department for comment on the criticisms.
These remarks follow Hegseth’s decision, reported on Aug. 7, to revoke Kendall’s security clearance. The department alleged that Kendall leaked sensitive information regarding Air Force One. The reports, appearing in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, concerned defensive capabilities on a jet gifted to President Trump by the Qatari government.
The leadership transition at the Pentagon has been marked by personnel changes and internal friction. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll recently resigned following tensions with Hegseth. Hegseth has removed the names of at least 10 Army officers from promotion lists for one-star and two-star general ranks this year. Hegseth and his supporters maintain that gender and race are not factors in these decisions, while critics, including Kendall, argue the moves overemphasize physical traits.
The internal friction extends to the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently called for the removal of Secretary Hegseth, citing "inept management" and concerns over the ongoing war with Iran.
The loss of security clearance for a former top official like Kendall limits their ability to consult on national security matters. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the performance of the Defense Department and the progress of the Iran war have become points of debate. While lawmakers have raised concerns, specific dates for upcoming congressional testimony regarding the recent resignations and promotion blocks have not been reported.