President Donald Trump has rejected concerns about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, dismissing questions about the length of its deployment by saying the carrier had not been at sea nearly long enough.
The vessel, which departed San Diego in November, has spent more than 250 days at sea without a port call, setting a modern Navy record. Families of sailors have described deteriorating conditions, with one mother likening the situation to a horror film and a sailor's wife reporting her husband was placed on medical leave after attempting to jump overboard. The Navy says it has not observed an increase in suicidal ideation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the reports completely distorted, saying crews receive every available supply.
The Lincoln saw action in the war with Iran, which began in February. The USS George Washington is en route to replace it. Senators Ruben Gallego and Richard Blumenthal have called for a bipartisan delegation to visit the ship.