Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The publisher of Franklin the turtle has condemned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's use of the Canadian cartoon character in a meme supporting the Trump administration's attacks on boats in the Pacific and Caribbean sea that have attracted allegations of murder, war crimes and extrajudicial killings.
Hegseth posted the picture to his X personal account on Sunday as he has come under increasing criticism over his attacks on alleged drug trafficking vessels in international waters.
The image shows Franklin clad in U.S. military gear launching a rocket-propelled grenade from a helicopter at an outboard motor boat manned by an armed person.
"For your Christmas wish list..." Hegseth said in the caption, seemingly making light of mounting domestic and international criticism over the attacks.
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