The publisher of the Franklin the Turtle cartoon has slammed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for using the cartoon in a violent image showing the turtle firing at drug boats.

In a post on X on Monday, 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.

It was posted by Hegseth after a report in the Washington Post claimed he had allegedly issued a verbal order for all crew members to be killed as part of a strike on a suspected drug boat.

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Monday Hegseth had authorized the strikes but did not give the "kill everybody" order.

In response to Hegseth's X post, publish

See Full Page