Trump says USS Lincoln's record time at sea during Iran operations 'not nearly long enough'

President Donald Trump spoke with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on August 14, 2026. He downplayed concerns about the nearly nine-month deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier supporting U.S. operations against Iran. Trump stated that the deployment—with over 240 days at sea—was "not nearly long enough" and dismissed family members' worries about its length. He also mentioned that the ship would soon be replaced by another similar vessel. Trump, during a crime rate address in New York, acknowledged using the U.S. military more than he initially intended but insisted the Iran operation was proceeding well, joking that he might declare the Hormuz Strait a U.S. territory. He refused to apologize for the war's impact on oil prices, claiming it was the right decision. Democrats, including Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Ruben Gallego, demanded a Pentagon briefing on conditions aboard the Lincoln, citing concerns over supply issues, mental health, and sanitation. Rep. Jason Crow criticized Trump’s comments, saying he didn’t care about servicemembers. The Navy confirmed a sailor went overboard but declined to specify if it was a suicide attempt. The USS George Washington was deployed to replace the Lincoln, which has spent over 260 days at sea. The U.S. Central Command denied reports of poor conditions, reimposing a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely.