Navy Charges Sailor Who Jumped Overboard, Sparking Outrage

"I think they're insane for doing this to people who need mental help," the sailor's wife told MS NOW. "Instead of giving them help, this is just another huge stressor."

Asked about pursuing discipline in cases involving suicide attempts, a Navy official told MS NOW the service is "fully committed to the health and wellbeing of every Sailor," said mental health resources are "available to our sailors 24/7," and added that "asking for help is a sign of strength."

MS NOW host Jen Psaki called the charges the "latest, most egregious sign that the Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump's leadership, has pushed U.S. servicemembers to the absolute limit." She noted the malingering charge amounts to claiming the sailor faked being suicidal, despite reports that he had warned his command about his condition.

Earlier this month, a Navy official acknowledged to the Washington Examiner that the extended deployment had placed "a significant strain" on service members, while saying that "Navy leadership is listening to our families, supporting our service members, and ensuring the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has the resources needed to safely and successfully accomplish its mission."

The wife of another service member aboard the ship told CNN on Aug. 14 that the administration's denials about conditions she called "appalling" were "infuriating." Officials, she said, "claim to scream and shout that they support [the troops], when it's politically, you know, sound for them to use — until our troops need support."