Donald Trump dismissed concerns over the USS Abraham Lincoln's record nine-month deployment, telling reporters the deployment was 'not nearly long enough' and that families weren't worried, even as military families and Democratic lawmakers press for accountability. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the reports of poor conditions 'completely misrepresented,' while acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said sailors are 'expected to dig deep' and accused media of victimizing them.
The 5,000-person crew has supported 40 days of continuous combat operations amid the blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, which Hegseth has said could continue 'indefinitely' despite calmed hostilities. Navy Times and Stars and Stripes reported multiple overboard attempts; a US official confirmed one sailor went over in early August and was rescued.
At a San Diego town hall, one of roughly 200 family members said her husband texted that he hoped he wouldn't wake up. The Navy denies an uptick in suicidal ideation but declined to release data, citing privacy and operational security, while acknowledging a 'small number' of mental health cases were treated.
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