Hegseth’s use of Franklin the Turtle in meme on boat strikes condemned by book series publisher
The Canadian publishing house behind the “Franklin” children’s books appeared to condemn Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, after the top military official released a cartoon image of the famous anthropomorphic turtle blowing up an apparent drug boat.
Hegseth’s post — which shows Franklin firing a rocket-propelled grenade from a helicopter, with the fake book title “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists” — appeared on the Defense Secretary’s X account Sunday evening, as questions swirled about the Trump administration’s months-long campaign of boat strikes in South America, and specifically about a reported second strike targeting survivors who were in the water.
A day later, Toronto-based Kids Can Press said in a statement posted on social media: “Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and champions kindness, empathy and inclusiveness. We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or likeness that directly contradicts these values.
Kids Can Press is the publisher of more than a dozen picture books that depict Franklin navigating life with his parents and friends, with titles like “Franklin Rides a Bike,” “Franklin Goes to School” and “Franklin Goes to the Hospital.” The stories have also been adapted for television.
CBS News has contacted Kids Can Press for comment. In a statement Monday evening, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CBS News: “We doubt that Franklin the Turtle wants to include drug cartels…or praise the kindness and empathy of narcoterrorists.”
Hegseth’s post drew criticism earlier Monday from Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired Navy captain who is facing a controversial Pentagon investigation for participating in a video encouraging soldiers not to obey illegal orders.
“He’s part of the National Nuclear Weapons Command, and last night he blasted turtles off the Internet with rocket-propelled grenades,” Kelly told reporters. “I mean, did you see that? He’s the Secretary of Defense. He’s not a serious person.”
Days before Hegseth’s publication, the Washington Post reported that the US military had conducted operations more than one strike on a single boat on September 2, killing two survivors of the initial attack after Hegseth allegedly ordered the military to kill everyone on board. The White House confirmed Monday that there was a second strike, but denied that Hegseth ordered it.
Some Democratic lawmakers to have argued that the second strike may have been a war crime, pointing to domestic and international laws prohibiting military forces from attacking injured people who no longer pose a threat. A Pentagon manual says “wounded, sick or shipwrecked” fighters should not be attacked.
The Trump administration has said its attacks on boats are within the law and says the strikes are necessary to crack down on drug trafficking.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Monday that Adm. Frank Bradley, who commanded the Sept. 2 operation, “worked well within his authority and the law in leading the engagement to ensure the destruction of the boat and the elimination of the threat to the United States of America.”
Hegseth posted on social media Monday that Bradley “is an American hero, a true professional, and he has my full support. I support him and the combat decisions he made – on the September 2 mission and every other since.”
