Pete Hegseth has been under fire recently for allegedly giving the order to “kill everybody” before a U.S. military strike on a suspected drug smuggling boat, as reported by The Washington Post. Despite two survivors from the initial attack, Admiral Frank Bradley followed Hegseth’s directive to ensure no survivors and ordered a second strike, prompting concerns from lawmakers about potential war crimes.
In an ill-advised attempt to make light of the situation, Hegseth shared what seemed to be a meme of a book cover titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists” featuring a turtle riding a helicopter and attacking drug boats. This move backfired, with the publisher of the “Franklin the Turtle” series condemning the inappropriate use of their character for violent purposes.
While the White House confirmed the second military strike on September 2, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shifted blame onto Admiral Bradley, claiming that Hegseth did not issue the order. Hegseth, in turn, praised Bradley as an “American hero” in a social media post, expressing his full support for the admiral and his decisions during the operation.
Hegseth’s endorsement of Bradley’s actions on September 2 has sparked further debate about the accountability and responsibility of military leaders in such situations. Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Hegseth remains steadfast in his support for the admiral and the military’s efforts to protect the country.
