BURSTA day after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a post mocking Vernon cadets on social media, Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson censured the senior U.S. official in a social media post of his own.
Hegseth posted on X (formerly Twitter) Monday, Aug. 31, sharing a picture that Vernon Cadets had posted on Facebook Aug. 24, accompanied with a Canadian flag and the comment “this is real.”
(this is real) pic.twitter.com/Ucx2FNdi1q
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 1, 2026
The X post has been viewed more than 17 million times as of Wednesday morning.
In a Burnaby press conference Tuesday, B.C. Premier David Eby called Hegseth’s post, “an embarrassment,” that, “tells you everything you need to know about the amateur hour, distracted, bizarre leadership that Americans are being subjected to right now that includes a pointless, stupid, self-defeating trade war against Canada of all countries in the world.
“I look forward to change in that leadership. I am astonished at the depths they continue to explore with their public rhetoric,” Eby added.
Later in the day Tuesday, Anderson took to Facebook to direct his own scathing words at Hegseth.
“You, sir, are the Secretary of War for the strongest nation on earth, and with that title comes a level of responsibility and decorum. You have chosen to set both aside and insult two female Canadian non-combatants, and to intentionally shame them before millions. You should be ashamed,” Anderson wrote.
Anderson is an Army veteran himself and a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence. The MP spoke of the two countries’ longstanding peaceful relationship which for the most part has seen Canadians and Americans behave cordially towards one another.
“Canadians and Americans have coexisted peacefully for over 200 years and there is no reason we can’t do so forever. Our economies, our continental defence and our cultures are irretrievably intertwined and yet we are two distinct nations,” Anderson said.
Then came more barbed comments from Anderson, aimed at Hegseth.
“Canadians and Americans should have no problem with each other, but I have a problem with you,” his post continues. “You’re a former military officer. You took a cheap shot at women and children in my riding. Next time you want to take a crack at a Canadian, I’m right here!”
Hegseth’s post comes at a time when his own military is entrenched in a war with Iran that has lasted six months. At the beginning of the war, Hegseth had estimated it would take no longer than eight weeks to topple the Iranian regime and end the war. With the war now in intractable territory having hit the half-year mark and no end in sight, some critics have speculated that Hegseth’s job could be on the line.
Hegseth has frequently espoused a kind of machoism in his vision for how best to run the U.S. military. In July, he announced testosterone deficiency testing for military personnel aged 30 or older.
Anderson highlighted a perplexing aspect of Hegseth’s post: its apparent aim to mock the physical fitness of cadets. The MP pointed out that cadet instructor cadre officers “don’t fight, they don’t command troops, and they don’t deploy or go near wars.
“They teach kids. Because they don’t fight, their physical condition is not relevant.”
In an emailed statement, the Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) told The Morning Star it is proud of the professionalism and contributions of all of its members.
“The Cadet Program provides youth aged 12 to 18 with opportunities to develop leadership skills, knowledge, and self-confidence in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment,” the department said. “We celebrate the achievements of cadets across Canada and the dedicated CAF members, civilian instructors, and volunteers who help young people build character, resilience, and teamwork, preparing them to lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and grow with honour.”