WASHINGTON, D.C., The Department of Justice drew criticism Thursday after posting an image of Franklin the Turtle, the well-known children’s book character, dressed as a “deportation judge” as part of a recruitment pitch for immigration court positions. The post, shared on X, depicted Franklin in a judge’s robe and white wig, holding a gavel under the mock title “Franklin Becomes a Deportation Judge.” DOJ wrote that Franklin was “helping write the next chapter of America,” urging applicants to join the federal immigration bench.
The move follows a similar post from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month, which showed Franklin firing a rocket-propelled grenade at a drug-smuggling vessel. That depiction drew sharp condemnation from Kids Can Press, the Canadian publisher of the Franklin series, which said the character represents “kindness, empathy, and inclusivity” and should not be used in “violent or unauthorized” political messaging.
The latest DOJ post comes amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown. This week the president promoted new restrictions on migrants arriving from Somalia and other nations, while the Department of Homeland Security confirmed it had secured Boeing 737 aircraft for expanded deportation operations. Critics say the administration’s use of a gentle children’s character to promote harsh enforcement policies trivializes the seriousness of immigration proceedings, while supporters argue the posts are attention-grabbing attempts to fill critical vacancies.
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