Trump downplays concerns about sailors onboard USS Abraham Lincoln amid record deployment

President said nine months at sea not nearly long enough' even as families call for attention to mental health crisis

Donald Trump has downplayed concerns about US sailors enduring a record-setting deployment of nearly nine months onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on Friday, saying the deployment was not nearly long enough" as concerns mount over mental health and supply issues onboard the aircraft carrier.

The US president made the comments during a brief exchange with reporters before flying to New York for an event highlighting falling violent crime rates across the US.