Franklin the turtle, a cherished Canadian character, has been adored by countless children throughout the years. However, when U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth portrayed him as a soldier equipped with a bazooka in a recent social media update, it raised concerns among many.
The post showcased a parody cover of a children’s book titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.” In the image, a cheerful Franklin is depicted wearing a military helmet and tactical vest, with the American flag on his arm. He is shown inside a helicopter, aiming a weapon at a boat that appears to be transporting packages and a man with a gun.
“For your Christmas wish list,” he captioned the post, seemingly trivializing lethal U.S. military operations against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
Earlier that day, lawmakers expressed their support for congressional investigations into these strikes, referring to a report by the Washington Post that claimed Hegseth ordered the killing of all crew members during a September 2 attack.
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In response to Hegseth’s post, critics quickly voiced their outrage.
“Where do I even begin? Are you really trying to market a Canadian children’s book? Or are you just going to face copyright issues since Franklin is not a killer and you want to teach children to take lives?” one user remarked.
The controversy did not go unnoticed in Congress.
“He seeks to be taken seriously, yet yesterday he shared a ridiculous tweet of a cartoon turtle shooting at alleged drug traffickers — a disturbing mockery of a beloved children’s book,” stated Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer on the Senate floor.
House Democrat Adam Smith, who serves on the armed services committee, remarked to reporters: “I’ve read books to my kids, but not that one apparently.”
“We need a defense secretary who comprehends the gravity and significance of his role,” Smith continued. “We currently do not have that.”
The popular Franklin series boasts over two dozen titles, with more than 20 million copies sold globally.
This series was also adapted into an animated television program, inspired a postage stamp, and both author Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator Brenda Clark are members of the Order of Canada.
Franklin author Paulette Bourgeois is pictured in the CBC PEI building in this 2016 photo. (Matt Rainnie/CBC)
In a statement to CBC News, a representative from their publisher, Kids Can Press, expressed their disapproval of the misuse of Franklin’s image.
“Franklin the Turtle is an adored Canadian figure who has inspired many generations of children and represents values of kindness, empathy, and inclusivity,” the spokesperson stated.
“We unequivocally denounce any degrading, violent, or unauthorized application of Franklin’s name or likeness as it fundamentally contradicts these principles.”
In remarks to U.S. media, including CBS and Axios, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell remarked, “We doubt Franklin the turtle wishes to endorse drug cartels … or praise the kindness and compassion of narco-terrorists.”
‘A war crime if it’s true’
The U.S. administration states that the strikes in the Caribbean target drug cartels, some of which it alleges are overseen by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene with his national security team Monday afternoon as bipartisan scrutiny intensifies regarding reports that Hegseth commanded a second strike on a suspected drug vessel to eliminate any survivors.
On Sunday, congressional members indicated uncertainty about the accuracy of last week’s Washington Post report, and while some Republicans expressed skepticism, they acknowledged that attacking survivors from an initial missile strike raises significant legal concerns.
“If this is accurate, it constitutes a war crime,” remarked Senator Tim Kaine.
Trump defended Hegseth on Sunday, asserting that the defense secretary assured him he did not instruct the killing of the men, “and I trust him.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Monday that a U.S. navy admiral ordered a second strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea in September, asserting the attack was lawful. The incident has faced bipartisan scrutiny following a report claiming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a verbal command for a second strike that resulted in casualties among survivors aboard the boat.
2nd strike was ‘self-defence’: White House
On Monday, despite previous denials from the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that a second strike was executed against an alleged drug vessel near Venezuela “in self-defense” and “in accordance” with the laws of armed conflict.
“The president has the authority to eliminate threats,” Leavitt mentioned regarding the alleged drug vessels if they pose a “threat to the United States of America.”
In her comments to reporters on Monday, Leavitt did not dispute the Washington Post’s claim that there were survivors following the initial strike.
Her explanation followed Trump’s statement the previous day, where he expressed that he “wouldn’t have wanted that — not a second strike” in response to inquiries about the incident.
“Secretary Hegseth authorized Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes,” Leavitt said, referencing U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Frank Bradley, who was in command of Joint Special Operations Command at that time.
“Admiral Bradley operated well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat’s destruction and the elimination of the threat to the United States of America,” she added.
‘Book two is Franklin goes to the Hague’
However, on social media, many critics of Hegseth’s post expressed their disagreement.
“That was merely the first book in the series. The sequel is Franklin Goes to the Hague,” someone quipped on X.
“Franklin and Pete Hegseth breach the Geneva Convention and engage in war crimes,” another critic stated.
Others shared their own humorous titles, such as “Franklin on trial at the ICC,” and “Franklin targets Venezuela’s Oil.”
Additionally, many pointed out that Franklin is a Canadian character, and that he serves as a positive role model for children, making Hegseth’s post “even more appalling.”
What is President Donald Trump’s ultimate goal with the continuous U.S. strikes on vessels near Venezuela? Andrew Chang discusses the threats the Trump administration claims it is responding to, as well as how Venezuela’s relationship with China may also play a role.