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Navy discloses eight suicide attempts aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Cao Discloses Suicide Attempts

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed eight suicide attempts among USS Abraham Lincoln sailors during deployment.
No sailor died suicide, Cao wrote in response to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
In August, a sailor fell overboard and was rescued by an air-wing helicopter.
In March, sailor attempted to jump, was stopped by shipmates, and received medical care.
The ship carried five chaplains, a psychologist, a social worker, and three behavioral health technicians.

Summary

Trump Rejects Mental Health

President Donald Trump said the Lincoln’s deployment was “not nearly long enough,” rejecting crew-mental-health concerns.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called reports of grim conditions aboard the carrier “misrepresented.”
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand accused Trump and Hegseth of “open disrespect” for dismissing sailors’ hardships.
Retired Rear Admiral Donald J. Guter said eight attempts were “disturbingly high,” indicating serious stress.

History

Historical Context

After the 2017 Navy collisions that triggered leadership changes and a fleet-wide safety review, the service built on the 2012 Executive Order mandating a 50 % expansion of the Veteran Crisis Line. In 2024 eight suicide attempts were reported aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, drawing criticism from Admiral John Richardson and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

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Cao Discloses Suicide Attempts

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed eight suicide attempts among USS Abraham Lincoln sailors during deployment.
No sailor died suicide, Cao wrote in response to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
In August, a sailor fell overboard and was rescued by an air-wing helicopter.
In March, sailor attempted to jump, was stopped by shipmates, and received medical care.
The ship carried five chaplains, a psychologist, a social worker, and three behavioral health technicians.

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