Canada's cadets condemn Hegseth's 'unacceptable' post about program
The post drew criticism in Canada as officials said the youth cadet program helps 12- to 18-year-olds build skills and confidence.
- On Monday, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a photo of Canadian cadets in Vernon, B.C., captioned "this is real"; the Pentagon defended the post on Tuesday, with deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss saying it "speaks for itself."
- The Trump administration's recent actions include Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claiming Canada "doesn't have a military" and renaming Lake Ontario to "Lake America" to agitate the northern neighbor.
- Reaction was swift: Prime Minister Mark Carney called the message "beneath their office," Premier David Eby noted "amateur-hour" leadership, and Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego called the comments "really deeply disrespectful" to fallen Canadians.
- MP Garnett Genuis clarified that "cadets do great work, and are not members of the military," reminding officials that 158 Canadian military members died in Afghanistan.
- Strained bilateral relations following trade talks and 50% tariffs imposed in August have compounded diplomatic friction, while internal leadership shakeups, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll's resignation, continue to complicate security cooperation.
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4 Articles
Canada's top soldier expresses pride in 'who we are,' after Hegseth singles out young cadets
The Canadian cadet and her instructor singled out by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will be the ones to decide how — or even if — they will respond to a controversial social media post, says Canada's top military commander.
Pentagon Defends Hegseth Post Targeting Canadian Cadet Program
The Pentagon is standing behind a controversial social media post by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about a Canadian cadet program as the Trump administration continues to denigrate Canada's Armed Forces. Hegseth on Monday posted an image from the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, B.C., depicting two young women in uniform with the caption "this is real" alongside a Canadian flag. The online response to Hegseth's post was filled with remarks…
Pentagon Defends War Secretary Hegseth’s Post Criticizing Canada’s Cadet Program
The Pentagon is standing behind a recent social media post by U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth that appeared to be mocking a photo shared by a Canadian cadet program. Hegseth on Aug. 31 posted an image on X from the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, B.C., depicting a youth cadet receiving a medal from an instructor along with the caption “this is real” and a Canadian flag icon. The post led to backlash in Canada, including criticism from Prime Min…
Canada Mocks America as Hegseth Fat-Shames Youth Cadet Instructor
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken it upon himself to insult Canadian teenagers and their instructors. Canada is laughing in his face.On Monday night, Hegseth reposted an image from Vernon Cadet Training Center in British Columbia of an officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre presenting a young cadet with a medal at the end of a summer cadet training session. The defense secretary captioned the image with a Canadian flag emoji and, in paren…
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