December 1, 2025 / 11:07 PM EST / CBS News
The Canadian publisher of the Franklin children’s books criticized Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after he shared a cartoon on X depicting Franklin the Turtle firing a rocket-propelled grenade from a helicopter, accompanied by a mock title, “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
Hegseth’s post came as scrutiny increased over the Trump administration’s months-long campaign of boat strikes in South America and reporting that a second strike targeted survivors in the water. Toronto-based Kids Can Press issued a statement on social media saying, “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.”
CBS News reached out to Kids Can Press for comment. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell pushed back, saying, “We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels… or laud the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists.”
Hegseth’s post drew sharp criticism from Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a retired Navy captain who is under Pentagon investigation for appearing in a video urging service members not to follow unlawful orders. Kelly said, “He is in the national command authority for nuclear weapons, and last night he’s putting out, on the internet, turtles with rocket-propelled grenades. I mean, have you seen this? This is the secretary of defense. This is not a serious person.”
The Washington Post has reported that U.S. forces conducted more than one strike on a single boat on Sept. 2, and that a second attack killed two people who survived the initial strike after Hegseth allegedly ordered the military to “kill everybody onboard.” The White House confirmed Monday that a second strike occurred but denied Hegseth gave such an order.
Some Democratic lawmakers argue the second strike could amount to a war crime, citing domestic and international prohibitions on attacking wounded, sick, or shipwrecked combatants who no longer pose a threat. The administration maintains the strikes were lawful and necessary to combat drug trafficking.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Adm. Frank Bradley, who led the Sept. 2 operation, saying he “worked well within his authority and the law, directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was eliminated.” Hegseth posted his own support for Bradley on Monday, calling him “an American hero, a true professional,” and saying he gave Bradley his “100% support” for the Sept. 2 mission and others.
Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.