Franklin the turtle, a cherished Canadian character among children, sparked concern when U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth depicted him as a soldier wielding a bazooka in a social media post on Sunday. Hegseth shared an altered cover of a Franklin children’s book titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists,” portraying Franklin in military gear shooting at a boat with packages and armed individuals. The post seemed to make light of deadly U.S. military actions against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.
Lawmakers expressed support for congressional reviews of these strikes following reports that Hegseth verbally ordered the killing of all crew members during a September 2 attack. Criticism against Hegseth’s post was swift and intense, with one individual questioning the appropriateness of associating a Canadian children’s book character with violence.
Hegseth’s post drew attention on Capitol Hill, with Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer and House Democrat Adam Smith condemning the portrayal of Franklin as a soldier. Smith emphasized the need for a Secretary of Defence who prioritizes the gravity of the role. The Franklin series, consisting of over two dozen books with a global readership, has also been adapted into an animated TV show and inspired a postage stamp.
In response to the unauthorized use of Franklin’s image, Kids Can Press, the publisher of the Franklin books, denounced Hegseth’s portrayal, emphasizing Franklin’s values of kindness and inclusivity. The Pentagon spokesperson, Sean Parnell, highlighted the incongruity of associating Franklin with drug cartels and violence.
The U.S. administration defended the Caribbean strikes as targeting drug cartels linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Bipartisan scrutiny intensified over reports of Hegseth’s order for a second strike targeting survivors of an initial attack. Lawmakers raised concerns about the potential violation of international law if such actions were confirmed.
Despite initial denials, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later justified the second strike as an act of self-defense against alleged threats to the U.S. She clarified that the President had the authority to authorize such actions if the country’s security was at risk.
Critics on social media condemned Hegseth’s post, suggesting satirical book titles like “Franklin Goes to the Hague” and labeling the portrayal of Franklin as a war crime. They emphasized Franklin’s Canadian roots and his status as a positive role model for children, contrasting sharply with Hegseth’s depiction.
