SUMMARY
Reports from sailors and their families describe concerning conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. The ship has been at sea since last November, a record-length deployment in modern times of 208 consecutive days on the water. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports.
View the transcript of the story.
Short on time? Watch the video and complete the following See, Think, Wonder questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
News alternative: Check out our recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. Then make a copy and answer these general discussion questions.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- When did the USS Abraham Lincoln deploy on its current mission?
- Where is the USS Abraham Lincoln currently?
- What are some of the concerns raised by family members of service members aboard the Lincoln and Congressmen like Sen. Blumenthal?
- How have President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reacted to concerns about conditions aboard the ship?
- Why are naval deployments at sea usually limited to six months?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- What do you think of the Trump administration's reaction to concerns about mental health conditions and supplies aboard the Lincoln? How do you think the Trump administration should react to such news going forward?
- How significant is it that acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao acknowledged mental health issues and food shortages aboard the USS Lincoln?
USS Abraham Lincoln sails in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 3, 2026 (U.S. Navy).
Media literacy: News Hour's Liz Landers mentioned two military-focused news outlets, the Military Times and Stars and Stripes, that have been reporting about the conditions aboard the USS Abraham. Look up both of these outlets. What did you first notice? What headlines did you come across? Skim a few articles--do you see interviews being conducted? Do they have a particular tone or style? What are some similarities and differences between the sites? What do you think are the benefits of having outlets that focus on such a niche (specific) area?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Take 10-20 seconds to think about what goes into making a decision. It can range from light-hearted decisions to serious, big decisions.
A sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln observes a fueling-at-sea alongside the USNS John Lewis, June 28, 2026. (U.S. Navy)
In the News Hour segment, Trump said he was sending the USS George Washington from Japan to the Middle East to relieve the Lincoln. What are the implications of this decision? Take a look at the Stars and Stripes article, "Military moves in Middle East raise questions about US commitment to Pacific," to learn more about Trump's decision. Author Gary Warner writes how the decision "has raised questions about the U.S. commitment to the Pacific as the primary region of superpower rivalry in the world."
According to Warner: "The conflict with Iran, now in its sixth month, has required the transfer of large stocks of long-range missiles and anti-missile defense weapons away from Asia. Lyle Goldstein, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University who specializes in China policy, said the U.S. needs an honest appraisal of its ability to wage war in multiple regions."
When you have had to make a decision in your life, you likely have thought about the effects of those decisions. For example, do you ever make a "cost-benefit analysis" when you are trying to make a choice? Do "unintended consequences" factor into your decision? Do you agree with Trump's decision not to leave any aircraft carriers in the Pacific? Why or why not?
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