President Donald Trump stated Friday that families of service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are "not" concerned about reported poor conditions, and suggested the aircraft carrier has not been deployed for "nearly long enough."
Trump confirmed that a replacement aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln, which has been on a lengthy deployment in support of operations related to Iran. The carrier has been at sea for more than 200 days, a record duration.
Reports of mental health and supply issues aboard the USS Lincoln emerged last week. Navy leaders, including acting Secretary Hung Cao, held a town hall with families of the sailors to address these concerns.
When questioned by reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews about family members' worries, Trump interjected, asserting, "No, they're not."
"That ship is moving right now, or very shortly, and it's being replaced with another very similar ship," Trump said, referring to the impending rotation.
A U.S. official told ABC News on Thursday that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington, based in Japan, will replace the Lincoln as part of a pre-planned rotation and has already begun its journey to the Middle East.