Gallego blames Trump administration for Lincoln conditions: 'True lack of leadership'
Adm. Mullen says morale has improved since the crew learned it's going home.
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego has criticized the Trump administration for the poor conditions reported aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Gallego, a former Marine, said that the poor morale among sailors is a result of the administration's lack of planning and understanding for the prolonged war with Iran. He accused both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump of not providing sufficient support to the service members, suggesting that the comments from these officials could dissuade sailors from wanting to continue their service.
The Lincoln has been at sea for nearly nine months, having gone more than 200 days without a port call. Defense Secretary Hegseth dismissed the concerns as "completely misrepresented," while President Trump stated that the deployment is "not nearly long enough." Retired Adm. Mike Mullen, a former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that extended deployments are common but believes that missions of this length take a significant toll on the crew and their families, urging them to return home.
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