Veteran lawmaker blasts Trump over USS Lincoln deployment

The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier, has been deployed in the Middle East since November, enduring more than 240 days at sea. Reports from the Military Times detailed severe conditions, including low supplies and mental health crises, with some service members attempting to go overboard. One wife, Annabelle Loma, recounted that her husband, who attempted to jump, feared a dishonorable discharge would ruin his 13-year career. President Donald Trump, during a brief exchange with reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, refuted these concerns, stating the deployment was "not nearly long enough." Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced the ship would return home soon as part of a planned rotation, but defended the extension, saying "the mission demanded it" and that "Sailors and Marines are expected to dig deep — and they always do." He also criticized the media for "trying to paint our warriors as victims." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth similarly dismissed the reports as "completely misrepresented," asserting that his department provides everything needed. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a combat veteran and former Marine, responded on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Saturday, blasting Trump as a "draft dodger" who is "more worried about his golf game this weekend" than the troops. Moulton also criticized Hegseth for "filming promo videos" instead of visiting the ship, and the Navy secretary for being "totally out of touch with reality." Moulton argued that the chain of command has "no clue how to end this war," referring to it as a "war of choice" that Trump and Hegseth are losing. The situation highlights a growing rift between the administration and military families over the handling of extended deployments and the well-being of service members.