Pete Hegseth Drops Meme of Franklin Firing at Narco Boat and Triggers Immediate Outrage

War Secretary Pete Hegseth circulated a meme this week referencing the Trump administration’s ongoing strikes against alleged narco-terrorist drug boats, sharing an edited image of the children’s book character Franklin firing a weapon from a helicopter, as reported by Fox News.

Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gives a thumbs up as U.S. President Donald Trump address a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) applaud behind him. President Trump was expected to address Congress on his early achievements of his presidency and his upcoming legislative agenda. Mandatory Credit: Win McNamee-Pool via Imagn Images

Hegseth posted the image with the caption, “For your Christmas wish list…” while showing the turtle character launching what appears to be an RPG toward a vessel on the water.

For your Christmas wish list… pic.twitter.com/pLXzg20SaL

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) December 1, 2025

The meme features the title “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists” on a fake book cover, with an explosion already visible on the targeted boat below.

The post drew immediate criticism from several current and former lawmakers. Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who is running for Senate, responded to Hegseth’s meme by writing, “You’re a disgrace.”

You’re a disgrace. https://t.co/QWBKrGbfWt

— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) December 1, 2025

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Former Rep. Justin Amash also condemned the post, stating, “There’s nothing Christian about war crimes.”

Hegseth has been defending the administration’s operations against narco-terrorist vessels for weeks.

The Trump administration has acknowledged conducting lethal strikes on drug boats identified as being tied to narco-terrorist organizations, describing the missions as part of an effort to eliminate trafficking networks responsible for moving lethal drugs toward the United States.

In a recent post on X, Hegseth reiterated the purpose of the missions.

“As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically intended to be ‘lethal, kinetic strikes.’ The declared intent is to stop lethal drugs, destroy narco-boats, and kill the narco-terrorists who are poisoning the American people. Every trafficker we kill is affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization,” he wrote.

As usual, the fake news is delivering more fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting to discredit our incredible warriors fighting to protect the homeland.

As we’ve said from the beginning, and in every statement, these highly effective strikes are specifically…

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 28, 2025

Federal officials have not disputed the administration’s characterization of the targeted boats, and operations in the region remain ongoing.

The meme shared by Hegseth generated widespread attention online as lawmakers continued to debate the nature and scope of the administration’s authority in carrying out the strikes.

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