“I’d like to see from this administration just once, just one time, someone taking some responsibility for something that isn’t going right.”

August 15, 2026 - Thursday night, on MS NOW’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly blasted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his dismissal of the mental health crisis unfolding aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln—where sailors have tried to jump overboard due to deteriorating conditions—and to call out the Trump administration’s failure to keep military families informed. 

Kelly also encouraged servicemembers who are struggling with their mental health to learn and use the resources available through the Brandon Act, legislation he passed that guarantees servicemembers the right to seek mental health treatment without fear of retaliation. The legislation is named in honor of United States Navy Petty Officer Third Class Brandon Caserta of Peoria, Arizona, who died by suicide after seeking mental health care and being denied. 

Sen. Kelly talks to Jen Psaki on The Briefing with Jen Psaki.  

Watch the full conversation here. See key excerpts below: 

On Secretary Hegseth’s dismissive response to the mental health crisis unfolding aboard the USS Lincoln… 

“I got to say, as bad as that and the conditions that these sailors have been put in, what I think is as bad, if not worse, is the Secretary of Defense’s response. Dismissing it like it’s no concern at all. I think a fundamental part of leadership is trying to improve the lives of the people you’re leading. And he doesn’t want there to be any accountability. He doesn’t want to get blamed. That’s pretty obvious. He doesn’t want this president to get blamed. I’d like to see from this administration just once, just one time, someone taking some responsibility for something that isn’t going right. And in this case, they seem to have a mental health crisis aboard that ship. It needs to be addressed, and the conditions need to be improved.” 

On speaking to an Arizona grandmother whose grandson is aboard the ship… 

“He’s depressed about the situation he is in. He doesn’t know when this deployment is going to end. I’d say the most disturbing thing she told me is she saw a picture of him, and she said when he got into the Navy, he was already like a skinny kid. She says it looks like he’s lost 20 to 25 pounds.  

“But the thing that also bothered her the most was the dismissiveness Pete Hegseth brought to this whole situation. She saw what he said, and she said it was rather disturbing that this is the way that he represented what was going on.” 

On the Trump administration’s failure to keep military families informed… 

“Servicemembers, spouses and children, they’re also serving their country. And we owe them not only gratitude, but we owe them a certain amount of respect that we’re going to operate within certain rules. And one of them is to share information when you’re when your family member, your servicemember on active duty is having a problem, they have the right to know.” 

On why no servicemember should fear seeking help… 

“They shouldn’t be punished and they should get treatment. I was the primary sponsor in the Senate on a piece of legislation called the Brandon Act, named after Brandon Caserta, who was a Third Class Petty Officer in the Navy who took his own life. He was in a helicopter squadron. It was a tragic case of somebody who sought treatment and didn’t get it.  

“So, I encourage service members out there, if they’re struggling, if they’re depressed, if they’re having ideas about taking their own lives or harming themselves, learn about the Brandon Act and know that you can go to your leadership and they have to provide you treatment.” 

The Veterans Crisis Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached by calling 988, press 1. Services also are available online at www.veteranscrisisline.net or by text, 838255. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Find more information about the Lifeline at suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call directly by dialing 988. 

You can also text TALK to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Source: Senator Mark Kelly