US Sailor Families Denounce Trump, Hegseth After 20-30lb Weight Losses on Warships
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 16
US Sailor Families Denounce Trump, Hegseth After 20-30lb Weight Losses on Warships
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 16
Summary
Three naval families said Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth effectively called sailors liars after dismissing reports of harsh conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli.
Text messages and family accounts described sailors losing 20-30lbs, poor drinking water, scarce food and badly strained mental-health care during deployments tied to the Iran war.
On the Lincoln, at sea nearly nine months with more than 5,000 sailors and marines, families cited multiple suicide attempts and a five-week wait to see the ship’s only psychiatrist.
The Wall Street Journal reported the USS George Washington is being sent to relieve the Lincoln, but one family said earlier promised relief was diverted, deepening distrust.
Veterans advocates and relatives warned the long deployments could leave lasting physical and psychological damage while eroding trust in military leadership.