President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are, astonishingly, making a bad situation worse by allegedly disciplining a Navy sailor after an attempted suicide.
Critics contend the move amounts to retaliation for exposing dangerous and inhumane conditions aboard the ailing USS Abraham Lincoln.
The aircraft carrier had been on a historic deployment that was extended several times after, earlier this month, at least one crew member leaped from the vessel. The Navy acknowledged the incident and attributed it to a mental health issue.
Weeks later, mounting concerns from relatives, lawmakers, and the press left Trump and Hegseth with little choice but to pull the Lincoln back to port.
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Accounts described supply-chain disruptions after Trump initiated hostilities with Iran on Feb. 28, triggering months of fresh-food shortages. The shortages persisted as Lincoln patrolled the Arabian Sea with no port calls after Iran destroyed a major U.S. base. Additional issues included scarce hot water, mold, malfunctioning toilets, and long gaps without laundry service. Sailors reportedly lacked basic personal care items, such as deodorant and toothpaste.
Trump and Hegseth publicly dismissed the sailors’ difficulties and their families’ concerns. The president himself said the carrier had not been out “nearly long enough” and dismissed the reports about conditions as “fake.”
Hegseth denied any problems aboard the warship and instead accused the media of “completely misrepresenting” the concerns of the sailors’ families.
The sailor, who remains unidentified, now faces charges for attempting suicide, according to his wife, who spoke to MS NOW and reviewed the charging papers.
The unnamed sailor has returned to San Diego for a medical assessment following the incident at sea. His wife, speaking to MS NOW on condition of anonymity, says he faces nonjudicial punishment for violating provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The Navy is charging him with Article 83 for “intentionally faking an illness or hurting themselves to avoid work, duty or service.” He’s also charged under Article 86 for “absence without leave.”
Essentially, when he jumped overboard, he abandoned his post without authorization.
“I think they’re insane for doing this to people who need mental help,” his wife told MS NOW.
“Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor,” she added.
Social media erupted with disgust and anger.
“Rather than admit failure, make changes and provide resources to those willing to sacrifice everything for our country, they have chosen to kick this sailor when he’s already down,” a Threads user stated.
What another gross display of evil and disrespect for our men and women in uniform,” the post continued.
Many others joined in. Threads user Jamie argued that the administration should face consequences.
“There should be no member of the military or the family of the military that support Trump and anything after this. It’s a disgrace what they did to those sailors.”
Another commented, “Two disgusting, cruel, heartless men. Both are losers! I don’t know how they sleep at night!”
The sailor leapt overboard on Aug. 3. Nonjudicial punishment is typically used for minor offenses to avoid courts-martial and official convictions, MS NOW reported.
The outlet reported a commanding officer will decide the case, and the sailor could face a significant pay cut, potentially losing half his wages.
The Lincoln was initially headed for the Pacific when it left San Diego on Nov. 21. It was redirected to the Middle East after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated a campaign against Tehran, and it did not receive port calls for months.
Most Navy deployments span about six months. Yet the Lincoln’s mission, originally slated to conclude in May, was extended on multiple occasions.
The crew—about 5,000 members—has effectively been confined to the ship, with the majority spending their time below decks.
