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Hegseth Fuels Rage with Meme Defending Boat Strikes: ‘Nothing Christian About War Crimes’

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a doctored image of Franklin the Turtle firing at boats titled `Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists`, captioned `For your Christmas wish list`.
U.S. Southern Command confirmed intelligence found the vessels struck were involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, and the administration fired missiles at boats linked to Venezuelan cartels.
Lawmakers and former officials condemned the image; Paulette Bourgeois replied on X with `I fixed it for you`, while California Rep. Sara Jacobs quote-tweeted a version reading `Franklin is a war criminal`.
On Sunday night, the post arrived amid a Washington Post report, and critics accused Hegseth of war crimes while saying the White House lacks sufficient evidence of drug activity.
At least 21 strikes have been reported on such vessels, and it was reported in October that the CIA has more authority for lethal operations while President Donald Trump hinted at possible military action against Venezuela.

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84 Articles

'Franklin the Turtle' publisher condemns Hegseth over 'violent' post

Canadian publisher Kids Can Press denounced use of its children's book character Franklin the Turtle in violent imagery posted on X by Pete Hegseth.

6 hours ago·United States

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The Toronto Star

Reposted by

The Hamilton Spectator

Lean Left

Pete Hegseth should leave Franklin the Turtle out of his phony war

The SecDef is facing serious trouble, writes Vinay Menon. Now he is dragging Canada’s gentle Franklin the Turtle into his narco-terrorism hot mess.

6 hours ago·Toronto, Canada

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The Cut

Left

Pete Hegseth Is Beefing With a Children’s Book Turtle

Amid reports of a targeted boat attack, Pete Hegseth posted a meme of the children’s-book character Franklin the Turtle, angering the series’ Canadian publisher.

6 hours ago

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