Extended USS Abraham Lincoln Deployment Raises Concerns Over Navy Morale and Retention, Sen. Gallego Says

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) warned Sunday that the record-length deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln could have lasting negative consequences for the U.S. Navy, particularly for sailor morale and retention.

Lawmakers and Veterans Sound the Alarm

Speaking on ABC's This Week, Gallego said the extended time at sea and the way sailors have been treated may discourage service members from reenlisting. "When they get back home, when they start having that conversation with their wife or with their husband — is it worth rejoining? They're going to have to think twice because look at how this leadership is treating them," he said.

Reports From Aboard the Carrier

Recent accounts described poor onboard conditions, limited supplies and very low morale aboard the Lincoln while it operated in the Arabian Sea. The Military Times reported that "multiple" sailors had attempted to go overboard, and family members communicated alarms after speaking with those on the ship.

Administration Response

When asked about the situation on Friday, former President Donald Trump dismissed family concerns and said the carrier's deployment had been "not nearly long enough." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters the episode was being "completely misrepresented," adding, "We make sure every ship, every crew, every captain has everything we can provide them at every single moment."

Gallego: "There's a deep, deep, deep mistrust of this leadership."

Operational Challenges and Relief

Adm. Brad Cooper, the senior U.S. military commander in the Middle East, visited the Abraham Lincoln on Saturday and informed the crew that relief was on the way with the pending arrival of the USS George Washington. In a statement, Cooper called the deployment "one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era."

Retired Adm. Michael Mullen, former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iranian targeting of regional ports — including limits around Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — restricted normal options for rest and resupply, forcing ships to remain at sea longer than planned. "You end up staying at sea," Mullen said, but he added that morale should improve once relief arrives.

Broader Implications

Gallego framed the ship's experience as symptomatic of wider problems in the administration's handling of the conflict with Iran, arguing planners failed to anticipate escalation and did not plan appropriately for how the campaign would unfold. Other veterans, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, also criticized the administration's response and urged a full review to protect service members.

Note: The Lincoln's deployment reportedly exceeded 240 days. Liset Cruz contributed to this report.