politics
Trump downplays concerns about sailors onboard USS Abraham Lincoln amid record deployment
President said nine months at sea ‘not nearly long enough’ even as families call for attention to mental health crisis
TL;DR
- The USS Abraham Lincoln is on a record-setting deployment of nearly nine months.
- Concerns have been raised by military families and lawmakers about mental health and supply issues onboard.
- President Donald Trump stated the deployment was 'not nearly long enough' and denied family concerns.
- The deployment is tied to the US war against Iran, with the navy reimposing a blockade on Iranian ports.
- Reports from military papers indicate sailors have attempted to jump overboard due to poor conditions and mental stress.
- The US navy claims it has 'not observed an increase in suicidal ideations or attempts' but declined to provide data.
- Acting secretary of the navy, Hung Cao, downplayed the reports, accusing the media of portraying warriors as victims.
- The Lincoln is operating in a contested environment where mission-critical supplies have been prioritized over others.