POLITICS08/17/26

USS Lincoln Deployment Crisis

CENTCOM commander visited the USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of poor conditions during a record deployment.

Photo: Fox News Politics

DIFFERENT FOCUS

NPR Politics and Bloomberg Politics emphasized Crew Welfare Crisis; Fox News Politics emphasized Military Resilience Vindicated.

LEFT FOCUS

▸NPR reported a family member of a sailor called Trump's comments about the deployment 'shameful.' — NPR Politics
▸Bloomberg reported a top U.S. commander acknowledged mental health is a 'valid concern' after visiting the ship. — Bloomberg Politics
▸NPR's Sen. Mark Kelly interview raised concerns about the ship's conditions and Trump's older carrier tech plan. — NPR Politics

RIGHT FOCUS

▸Fox News reported CENTCOM said the Lincoln has one of the Navy's lowest mental health case counts among 11 carriers. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News reported Adm. Cooper called his time aboard 'awe-inspiring' and praised crew camaraderie and resilience. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News noted officials have 'repeatedly denied' allegations of poor conditions aboard the Lincoln. — Fox News Politics

Hasan Execution Livestream Canceled

Trump announced the December firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan will not be livestreamed.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Oct 6: Trump approves firing squad execution for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan

Oct 13: Trump privately expresses doubts about livestreaming

Friday: Trump cancels livestream of Hasan execution

Left: sees Trump retreating from a "sick" plan.

Right: Survivors call it proof America isn't barbaric.

Anti-Iran-war protesters repeatedly interrupted Defense Secretary Hegseth at an Army drone panel on Oct. 14.

Left: PBS reports protesters shouted and were removed.

Right: 'Foul-mouthed' mob derailed Hegseth's remarks.

DOJ charged 28 noncitizens and arrested 11 in California under 'Operation Protect the Vote.'

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Tuesday: DOJ charges 28 noncitizens, arrests 11 in California

Left: Defendants say they never registered to vote.

Right: DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 noncitizen voters.

Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving Russia sanctions under the Lindsey Graham-named law, drawing bipartisan criticism.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Saturday: Trump signs executive order waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs mandated by the Graham Act.

Sunday: Executive order signed two days before sanctions took effect

Left: A gift to Putin, a slap at Graham's legacy

Right: Energy relief, acting in national interest