President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns from families of sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as the aircraft carrier continues a nearly nine-month deployment. When a reporter told Trump that the relatives were worried about conditions aboard the ship, he rejected the claim. He said, “No, they’re not.” The ship has been at sea for months, while reports have raised questions about the conditions faced by its crew.
Donald Trump dismisses concerns over conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln as sailors face mounting strain
As per New York Post, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Friday, Trump said the Lincoln would soon be replaced by another aircraft carrier. “That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it’s being replaced with another very similar ship,” he said.
However, concerns about the crew have continued to grow. Reports from the Navy Times and The Wall Street Journal said the roughly 5,000 sailors aboard the carrier have faced long hours, little downtime and difficult living conditions. Moreover, at least three sailors have reportedly tried to jump overboard or were stopped from doing so. Their fellow sailors had to rescue or restrain them, according to the reports.
Meanwhile, more than 200 family members met with acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao in San Diego last week to discuss their concerns. Yet, when a reporter told Trump that the relatives were worried about conditions on the ship, he rejected the claim. “No, they’re not,” Trump said.
Trump also dismissed the idea that the carrier had spent too much time away from shore. When asked whether its deployment had lasted too long, he replied, “No, not nearly long enough.”
For now, the Navy is preparing to send the USS George Washington to the Middle East to replace the Lincoln. However, the replacement carrier is still believed to be several days away.
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