Senator Ruben Gallego on Sunday attributed the poor conditions and extended deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln to a "true lack of leadership" from the Trump administration and its handling of the war with Iran. The Lincoln, a Navy aircraft carrier operating in the Middle East, has been at sea for nearly nine months and has not made a port call in over 200 days.

Gallego, a former Marine, told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz that the current administration "did not plan for this war, did not plan how to get out of this war, did not really understand how this war was going to escalate." He was speaking to spouses who had recently shared concerns about the ongoing issues aboard the carrier.

These comments come amid growing concerns and demands for an investigation into the conditions and morale among sailors aboard the Lincoln. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed reports of poor conditions as misrepresented, while former President Donald Trump stated the deployment was "not nearly long enough."

Gallego suggested that such dismissive remarks from top officials could discourage service members from continuing their military careers. He argued that sailors, upon returning home, will "have to think twice because look at how this leadership is treating them," calling it a "true lack of leadership from the secretary of Defense as well as the president."

Retired Admiral Mike Mullen, former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged that extended aircraft carrier deployments are not uncommon and can exceed stated timeframes. However, he agreed with Gallego that deployments of this length take a significant toll on the crew and their families, recalling that year-long deployments during the Vietnam War were "just too long."

Mullen noted that he had spoken with U.S. Central Command commander Brad Cooper, who reported that any issues with conditions aboard the Lincoln have been addressed. Cooper also informed Mullen that morale among the crew had improved upon learning they would soon be returning home.

Despite the reassurances, the extended mission has raised questions about military planning and support for deployed personnel. The ongoing conflict with Iran has necessitated a prolonged presence in the region, highlighting the challenges of maintaining operational readiness while ensuring the well-being of sailors and their families.

The situation aboard the USS Lincoln underscores broader debates about military deployment durations, the impact on service members, and the effectiveness of leadership in managing prolonged conflicts and their human costs.