The Pokémon Company has distanced itself from a controversial U.S. Department of Homeland Security video that repurposed the franchise’s iconic anime theme song to promote an ICE raid.
The Department of Homeland Security posted the clip earlier this week, splicing footage of ICE agents making arrests with imagery from the original Pokémon animated series and mock-ups of trading cards featuring those detained. The video, set to the franchise’s instantly recognizable theme — which famously includes the lyrics “Gotta catch ’em all” — quickly went viral and drew outrage online.
“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” The Pokémon Company said in a statement. “Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property.”
The company did not clarify whether it plans to pursue legal action. But Doug McGowan, Pokémon’s former chief legal officer, told IGN in an interview that he expects the company to let the matter pass quietly, noting its longstanding aversion to controversy in the U.S. market.
This is far from the first time Trump’s Department of Homeland Security has seen blowback for its use of artists’ work that’s far more universally beloved than the actions of ICE agents. In August, an ICE recruitment video posted via DHS social accounts was taken down after the campaign allegedly used Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” without authorization. The video reportedly committed a copyright violation, prompting the video to be disabled following a takedown claim. And just this week, comedian Theo Von publicly demanded that a DHS video using a clip of his voice be taken down, saying he had not given permission.
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this. I know you know my address so send a check. And please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos,” Von wrote on X. When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
His objections were apparently heeded — that clip was reportedly removed, while the Pokémon-themed video remains live at the time of writing.
