The publisher of “Franklin the Turtle,” a Canadian book franchise aimed at preschoolers, has expressed criticism after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to make light of deadly boat strikes in Latin America by posting a doctored image that showed the well-known turtle character attacking the crew of a narcotics vessel.
The Washington Post reported exclusively Friday that Hegseth gave a spoken order to kill the entire crew of a vessel thought to be ferrying narcotics in the Caribbean Sea, the first of nearly 20 such strikes directed by the administration since early September. When two survivors were detected, a military commander directed another strike to comply with Hegseth’s order that no one be left alive, The Post reported.
In a post on X over the weekend, Hegseth shared an image of a doctored book cover, titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists,” that depicted the primary-school-aged turtle firing a rocket-propelled grenade at apparent drug traffickers. “For your Christmas wish list …” Hegseth wrote.
In a statement late Monday, the cartoon’s publisher Kids Can Press issued a statement that did not name Hegseth, but said: “Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”
In an emailed response to a request for comment Tuesday, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, “We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels … or laud the kindness and empathy of narcoterrorists.”
The “Franklin the Turtle” franchise began in 1986 and spans over 30 books, as the young turtle embarks on familiar coming-of-age milestones including falling in love, celebrating Thanksgiving and having a sleepover. The series has sold more than 65 million copies in over 30 languages, according to its publisher, and has been made into two educational television series and multiple films.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer described Hegseth’s post as a “sick parody of a well-known children’s book,” and accused Hegseth of being childish and unserious. “This man is a national embarrassment. Tweeting memes in the middle of a potential armed conflict,” Schumer said.
Pressure has been mounting on the Pentagon to provide a full accounting of its orders to target alleged narcotics traffickers in the Caribbean Sea with lethal force, in strikes that have killed more than 80 people to date. Following The Post’s report, lawmakers in the House and Senate pledged to open inquiries to see if a war crime was committed during the first strike, where the two survivors were targeted. Legal experts have said the survivors did not pose an imminent threat to U.S. personnel and thus were illegitimate targets.
On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged Hegseth had authorized the commander, Adm. Frank M. Bradley, to conduct the Sept. 2 strikes, while saying Bradley had “worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed.” Writing on social media Monday night, Hegseth said he stood by the admiral and “the combat decisions he has made.”
The statements were seen as an attempt to distance Hegseth from the growing fallout from the strikes, with military officials expressing concern that he was attempting to insulate himself from any legal recourse and leave Bradley to face the fallout alone, The Post reported.
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