Publisher criticizes the inappropriate use of Franklin the Turtle in Hegseth's post about a boat strike

A social media post by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, featuring a well-known childrens character aiming a rocket launcher at a cluster of boats, has drawn sharp criticism from the books Canadian publisher. Hegseth shared a doctored cover of a Franklin the Turtle book titled Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists, sparking shock and disapproval.

The image depicts a smiling turtle wearing a military helmet and vest, an American flag on his arm, with a boat loaded with drugs exploding behind him. Hegseth captioned the post, For your Christmas wish list.

The post comes amid widespread outrage over recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in at least 80 deaths. Reports indicate that Hegseth allegedly ordered forces to kill everybody on vessels where survivors were spotted after a September 2 strike, with the survivors later killed in a subsequent attack.

Experts have condemned these extrajudicial killings as illegal, and Hegseths social media post was perceived as mocking these actions. The publisher of the Franklin series expressed strong disapproval of the unauthorized use of its main character in this violent context.

Kids Can Press, the Canadian publishing house, stated: Franklin the Turtle is a cherished Canadian icon, inspiring generations of children and representing kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. We strongly condemn any violent or unauthorized use of Franklins image, which contradicts these values.

Hegseths post also triggered a wave of parodied covers, including ones questioning the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and others criticizing the defense secretary directly, such as a mock title Franklin Goes to the Hague.

The Franklin series, with over 50 books and 20 million copies sold, has traditionally avoided politics, focusing instead on gentle moral lessons in titles like Franklin Says Sorry, Franklin Forgives, and Franklin is Lost.

Notably, a television adaptation featured a theme song by Canadian folk singer Bruce Cockburn, whose song If I Had a Rocket Launcher was inspired by his visit to Guatemalan refugee camps during a civil war involving U.S.-backed forces.

The Pentagons Law of War Manual emphasizes that those who are wounded, sick, or shipwrecked must be respected and protected in all circumstances, and targeting them is strictly prohibited. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the boat strikes, saying they were conducted in international waters and in accordance with the law of armed conflict.

Author: Sophia Brooks