News

Sen. King calls for defense secretary to “demonstrate leadership” amid reports of poor conditions on USS Lincoln

Sen. King calls for defense secretary to “demonstrate leadership” amid reports of poor conditions on USS Lincoln

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, arrives to a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing regarding the reappointment of General Kenneth S. Wilsbach, USAF, to be Chief of Staff of the Air Force on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio, Associated Press


Maine U.S. Sen. Angus King is among lawmakers pressing for answers about conditions on board the USS Abraham Lincoln.

It comes after reports of food and water shortages, broken plumbing, and mental health crises among the aircraft carrier’s crew during its record-setting nine-month deployment near Iran.

King, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined colleagues in sending a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:

“As the Secretary of Defense, you are accountable to the men and women who serve our nation.  It is time for you to demonstrate leadership, rather than peddle excuses.  The servicemembers we send into harm’s way deserve nothing less.”

On Monday, President Trump said concerns over service members on the vessel were a “CNN fake report.”

Adm. Mike Mullen, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chair, said he had “great concern” over conditions on board the ship during a Sunday interview with ABC News’s “This Week.”

Latest Headlines

12 hours ago in Local

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal of Maine 72-Hour Waiting Period to Buy Guns

The gun rights groups were seeking to overturn an appeals court decision.

13 hours ago in Local

Maine State Police Investigating Infant Death Involving Dog in Livermore Falls

Police say the incident happened last Thursday.

14 hours ago in Local

New trail offers handicap-accessible glimpse of Maine wildlife in Falmouth

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday to celebrate the opening of the Maine Audubon's new trail at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.

16 hours ago in Local

Penobscot County man accused of setting 2 fires

A Medway man is accused of setting fire to his camper and vehicle.

16 hours ago in Sports, Trending

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season with blood clots, AP source says

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season because of blood clots in his lungs, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Monday.