Top U.S. commander acknowledges mental health issues on USS Lincoln

Cooper, the top U.S. commander in the war with Iran, said his visit to the ship was “awe-inspiring” and lauded the crew for “stepping up and making mental health and crew resilience a leadership priority.”

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, have sought to downplay reports of deteriorating morale aboard the Lincoln.

Asked by a reporter on Friday whether the Lincoln’s deployment has gone on too long, Trump said, “No, no, no” and added, “not nearly long enough.” The president also said that the Lincoln would soon be replaced in the region by a different carrier.

Hegseth said that reports are “completely misrepresented.”

The USS George Washington is now headed toward the Middle East and is expected to take the place of the Lincoln, MS Now reported.

Lawmakers, meanwhile, have questioned and criticized the Pentagon over conditions aboard the Lincoln.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who serves on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said in a statement on Saturday that there “must be accountability for the reported deteriorating conditions endured by our service members serving in a reckless war started with no justification, no strategy, and no end in sight.”

“I demand hearings, accountability, and a clear plan to protect our service members and prioritize American families,” she said.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/16/top-us-commander-acknowledges-mental-health-issues-on-uss-lincoln.html