Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appeared to respond to his critics amid controversy over missile strikes on alleged drug boats by posting a parody image of a much-loved children’s character.

In a post on his personal X account, Hegseth posted an edited version of a Franklin the Turtle book cover with the title “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.” The image shows the cartoon turtle standing on the edge of a helicopter, opening fire on a boat.

Hegseth wrote in a caption: “For your Christmas wish list...”

It comes after The Washington Post reported last week that Hegseth had issued a verbal order for a follow-up strike to wipe out survivors of an initial strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in the Caribbean.

In a post on his official government account on X on Friday, Hegseth sa

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