Pete Hegseth faces backlash over post targeting Canadian cadets

The Pentagon is defending US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a social media post about Canadian cadets triggered widespread backlash in Canada.

Hegseth posted an image Monday showing two young women at the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, BC alongside the caption “this is real” and a Canadian flag.

The post prompted derogatory comments about the cadets' appearances, while critics accused Hegseth of targeting young people to disparage Canada.

Asked about the controversy Tuesday, Pentagon deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss said: “The X post speaks for itself.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said remarks from Trump administration officials maligning Canada's military were “beneath their office.”

BC Premier David Eby also criticised Hegseth and the Pentagon's response.

“It tells you everything you need to know about the amateur-hour, distracted, bizarre leadership that Americans are being subjected to,” Eby said.

The Army Cadet League of Canada also condemned the online harassment.

“Directing derogatory commentary toward youth who are actively working to better themselves and serve their communities is unacceptable,” the organisation said in a statement.

The controversy comes amid heightened Canada-US tensions following the breakdown of trade negotiations and a series of critical remarks about Canada's military from Trump administration officials.

Canada's cadet programme is open to young people aged 12 to 18.