Defense Minister Hesseth published a picture of the familiar children’s figure launching a missile at a drug boat – in clear reference to the attack carried out by the US military and claimed to amount to a war crime • Franklin’s publishing house was outraged, and responded that they condemn the use, which prompted another response from the Pentagon • The White House spokeswoman tonight referred to the affair, but did not dispel the fog
The United States has been in turmoil in recent days following the “war crime” allegedly committed by the US Navy under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and last night (Monday) a particularly surprising figure entered the picture. Amidst the allegations against him, Hesseth posted a photo of Franklin the turtle attacking a drug boat – leading the publishers of the popular children’s series to condemn the use of the image, and the US Department of Defense to strike back.
Hesseth and Admiral Frank Bradley are at the center of a huge public uproar in the United States, after it was revealed in the Washington Post that Hesseth ordered “to kill everyone” before an operation to attack a drug ship near the coast of Venezuela. The initial attack by American forces left two survivors out of 11 crew members, and they clung to the wreckage of the ship. Following Hesseth’s order, the commander of the special forces who led the operation ordered to carry out Another attack, and eliminate the survivors, according to the report.
Against the background of the publication that caused an uproar in the USA, Hesseth published on the X network a picture in which Franklin the turtle, a very familiar children’s character, is seen attacking with a missile a drug boat that is already going up in flames – in a clear reference to the disputed incident. Franklin’s publishing company responded with an angry message and condemned the use of the figure by the Minister of Defense.
“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and represents values of kindness, empathy and inclusion. We strongly condemn any offensive, violent or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or likeness, which is directly contrary to these values,” reads the statement from the Kids Can Press publisher on the X network.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell was not oblivious, and responded to the publisher’s announcement: “We find it hard to believe that Franklin the Turtle is interested in being ‘inclusive’ towards drug cartels… or praising the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists.”
The vague message from the White House – and the fear in the American military
White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt officially addressed the incident last night, but did not dispel the fog around her. In response to reporters’ questions, Levitt clarified that the White House acknowledges that the second attack took place, but denies that Defense Secretary Hesseth gave the order for it.
However, immediately afterward, Levitt issued a statement that left room for doubt regarding the sequence of events: “President Trump and Minister Hesseth made it clear that drug organizations are subject to lethal attacks in accordance with the laws of war. Regarding the attack in question, Minister Hesseth authorized Admiral Bradley to carry out these attacks. Admiral Bradley acted in accordance with his authority and in accordance with the law when he ordered to ensure that the boat was destroyed and the threat removed.”
The Washington Post reported that officials in the US military expressed concern that Gasth and the administration were actually placing the blame on Bradley, while distancing Gasth from the incident. The New York Times tried to put the events in order, and reported that Gasth did not specifically order the second attack and did not refer to a scenario in which the first attack would not eliminate all the crew members. According to the report, Bradley acted to carry out Heseth’s general directive to eliminate the crew members on the boat.