'Not long enough': Trump pushes back as USS Lincoln families decry endless deployment

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump pushed back on Friday, August 14, when asked about concerns raised by families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, saying the aircraft carrier’s lengthy deployment was “not nearly long enough.”

Trump also indicated that the Lincoln would soon leave the Middle East and be replaced by another carrier, offering a new development in the saga surrounding the ship’s nearly nine-month deployment.

Trump dismisses concerns by sailors' kin

Trump addressed the concerns surrounding sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews.

Asked if relatives had raised complaints about conditions on the carrier or the mental health of its crew, Trump rejected the premise, saying, “No, they’re not.”

He confirmed that the Lincoln is set to leave the region and be replaced by another carrier.

“It’s moving out. Another, very similar, ship,” Trump said.

The president was then asked whether the carrier’s approximately eight-and-a-half months at sea was an unusually long deployment. Trump pushed back again.

“No, no, no. Not nearly long enough,” he said before leaving to board Air Force One.

Trump’s remarks come as the Lincoln’s prolonged deployment has drawn increasing attention over the demands placed on its sailors and the concerns voiced by their families.

Families express concern as Navy pushes back on claims

The Lincoln has been deployed since November, spending months in the Middle East supporting US military operations.

As the deployment has continued, sailors and their relatives have increasingly spoken about the strain of remaining at sea for such an extended period.

Relatives have also raised concerns over when the sailors will finally return home.

During a meeting with senior Navy officials in San Diego, family members described the exhaustion and mental-health concerns they said had emerged after months at sea.

Some families have additionally reported difficulties involving food, water, mail, and opportunities for regular breaks.

The Navy, however, has disputed some of the more serious accounts circulating about conditions aboard the carrier.

US Central Command said reports claiming sailors had died aboard the carrier were false, stating that no service members on the Lincoln had died.

CENTCOM also said a sailor who went overboard on August 3 was quickly recovered.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth similarly rejected reports about conditions aboard the carrier, saying they had been “completely misrepresented.”