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A viral video produced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has sparked backlash for its unauthorized use of the iconic Pokémon theme song and imagery to accompany scenes of ICE raids. The Pokémon Company publicly distanced itself from the video, which has raised broader concerns about the government’s use of copyrighted content.
The Pokémon Company speaks out
The Pokémon Company didn’t mince words in its response. In a rare official statement, the company made it clear that it had no involvement in the creation of the video and did not grant permission for the use of its intellectual property. The video, which juxtaposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations with nostalgic visuals from the Pokémon anime and mock trading cards of detainees, was widely shared on social media.
The soundtrack—yes, the same energetic “Gotta catch ’em all”—added a surreal, uncomfortable layer to the whole sequence. It’s a theme that millions of fans, including me, associate with childhood heroism and adventure, not with images of people being forcibly detained. Seeing those two worlds collide like that honestly left a bitter taste.
For now, The Pokémon Company hasn’t indicated whether legal action will follow. Doug McGowan, who once served as the company’s chief legal officer, told IGN he doubts a lawsuit will happen. According to him, the company generally prefers to avoid public legal battles in the U.S., especially around politically sensitive topics. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
An ongoing DHS trend
This isn’t the first time DHS has used copyrighted material in controversial ways. In fact, it’s becoming a worrying pattern. Just last August, the department had to pull an ICE recruitment video due to unauthorized use of Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement.”
More recently, comedian Theo Von called out DHS for using a clip of his voice in one of their promotional videos. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), asking them to “keep me out” of your ‘banger’ deportation videos. The video was apparently removed after his complaint.
Yet, despite the criticism, the video featuring Pokémon remains online at the time of writing. It raises questions not just about copyright—though that is serious—but about tone and intentionality. Using a beloved children’s franchise to score literal footage of arrests isn’t just tone-deaf. It’s disturbing.
A matter of image and association
For a brand like Pokémon, built on values like friendship, perseverance, and wonder, being linked—without consent—to scenes of ICE operations is more than just a legal issue. It’s an image issue. The franchise has always been meticulously managed, with a global fanbase spanning generations. This kind of association could chip away at the trust it’s built over decades.
Here’s what’s problematic about this type of content repurposing: To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
- It confuses the public into thinking there’s an endorsement where there is none.
- It undermines the original meaning and emotional resonance of the content.
- It creates tension between cultural institutions and government agencies.
- It sends mixed, often unsettling, messages to viewers.
As someone who grew up dreaming of becoming a Pokémon Trainer, I can’t help but feel a bit betrayed—not by the franchise itself, but by the way its imagery was used for something so far removed from its spirit. There’s nothing heroic about chasing people down in a clip scored like Saturday morning cartoons.
The wider debate
Beyond this particular case, there’s a broader conversation to be had about how public agencies use pop culture—often without permission—to promote serious political agendas. Whether it’s music, voices, or beloved animated characters, these aren’t just aesthetic choices. They carry meaning. They evoke emotions. And when misused, they blur the line between entertainment and propaganda.
In the current climate, where public trust in institutions is constantly shifting, this kind of creative borrowing isn’t just careless. It’s dangerous. It weaponizes nostalgia for causes that many find deeply controversial.
For now, The Pokémon Company is staying measured. But for fans—and I count myself among them—the damage is already done.
