The Hill reports:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday claimed that conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have been “completely misrepresented” following reports that sailors, struggling with low morale during a grueling deployment, have attempted to jump overboard.

Speaking with Newsmax, Hegseth did not directly address reports of supply shortages, water contamination and deteriorating mental health on the Abraham Lincoln, nor did he say when the vessel would return stateside after leaving San Diego in November. [Continue reading…]

Military.com reports:

Lawmakers in Washington are demanding answers from the Navy amid reports of a mental health crisis onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is involved in the U.S.’s war against Iran.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, which has 5,000 sailors and marines on board, has been at sea for nine months. It has been in combat with Iran for five months, and has spent 250 days in a row without making land—leaving those on board without the opportunity to see their families and friends.

Lawmakers reacted to multiple reports from the Navy Times and Stars and Stripes which, citing interviews with sailors’ family members, allege that sailors have made multiple attempts to jump overboard and are experiencing other issues with their mental health.

The outlets said some people aboard the ship are suffering from exhaustion, suicidal thoughts and low morale. They interviewed spouses who said their partners had prevented sailors from jumping overboard on at least one occasion.

Naval families have also said there are safety concerns, food shortages, water contamination, and disruption in the mail system on the ship, according to reports.

Military.com contacted the Navy and Department of Defense for comment.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao on Wednesday to express “serious concern” about the reports.

“There have been widespread reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing issues, deteriorating mental health, deck safety concerns,” aboard the ship, he wrote in the letter, reported by CNN, as well as “disruptions in the mail system, which have caused many care packages in route to the ship to be lost in transit for months.”

Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat who represents California’s 49th Congressional District, criticized Hegseth over the reports.

The secretary initially called reports about rationed food and moldy showers onboard that emerged in April “more fake news.”

“It’s been a week since a dozen military families shared what their loved ones are enduring aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln,” Levin wrote. “These men and women signed up to serve their country. The least their country owes them is hot water, a working toilet, and a real meal.

“Hegseth cannot even manage that, and he has the nerve to look their families in the eye and call them liars.” [Continue reading…]