Democratic senators demand answers on USS Abraham Lincoln deployment conditions

Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) accused President Donald Trump of misleading the public about a potential war with Iran and of keeping the USS Abraham Lincoln deployed for nearly nine months despite reports of worsening conditions for the crew. Ossoff said the president "lies a nation into war" and "doesn't want to do the job," adding that sailors endure hardship while the president "sleeps through his meetings."

All 13 Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee and two senior Democratic senators have sent a list of 11 questions to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, seeking details on mental-health resources, hygiene, safety and the possibility of a bipartisan delegation visiting the ship. They describe the situation as a result of poor planning by the administration.

The White House spokesperson Stephen Cheung dismissed Ossoff’s remarks on social media, labeling the senator a "loser in politics." Pentagon officials, including Hegseth and retired Army General Jack Keane, have called the media reports about the carrier false. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said the Lincoln has one of the lowest rates of mental-health cases among the Navy’s 11 active carriers.

Democratic lawmakers continue to call for an investigation. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Az.), a former Navy officer, cited reports that some sailors have attempted suicide, while Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Az.) warned that the deployment could deter service members from reenlisting. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said Congress should hold oversight hearings with senior Navy officials to obtain a factual account.

The carrier has been at sea since December, a deployment length that exceeds typical Navy rotations. Earlier reporting indicated that sailors had not received regular care packages and had limited access to fresh food, though the Pentagon has denied those claims.