In recent months, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been publishing increasingly strange, aggressive, and often disturbing content on its official social media accounts. Videos posted to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram feature militarized federal agents accompanied by pop culture music and images that appear to be used without permission. The most recent example has shocked both policy observers and fans of Japanese pop culture alike: DHS used the iconic theme song from Pokémon alongside footage of raids and arrests.
The video has drawn outrage, mockery, and questions of legality—not only because of the disturbing glorification of force, but also because Pokémon Company International has confirmed it never granted DHS permission to use its intellectual property.
This episode is just the latest in a growing pattern of government social media posts that blur the lines between propaganda, parody, and copyright infringement.
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DHS’s Pokémon Video: What Happened
On Monday, the official DHS accounts released a one-minute video that begins with explosions and the forced entry of masked agents. As the scene unfolds, the instantly recognizable opening lyrics of the Pokémon theme song, “I wanna be the very best…,” play in the background.
The montage shows heavily armed federal agents walking in slow motion, blurred-out detainees being led away in handcuffs, and celebratory imagery designed to glorify federal crackdowns. The message is clear: DHS is recasting its agents as “heroes” in the style of Pokémon trainers, with “criminals” as their captured prey.
The timing of the release also raised eyebrows. In the weeks leading up to this, federal agencies had faced backlash for the reported use of a 5-year-old autistic girl in an ICE sting operation to lure her father out of hiding. Critics argue that pairing lighthearted Pokémon branding with disturbing incidents of immigration enforcement trivializes the suffering of vulnerable communities.
Pokémon Company Responds
Pokémon Company International, jointly owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc., quickly issued a statement distancing itself from DHS.
“We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand,” a spokesperson told Gizmodo. “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 swift clarification underscores the seriousness of unauthorized use. Pokémon’s brand is associated with adventure, friendship, and creativity—not militarized propaganda. By hijacking such a recognizable franchise, DHS risked tarnishing both its own reputation and that of the Pokémon franchise.
Public Reactions: Applause, Outrage, and Memes
Social media reaction was immediate and deeply polarized.
- Supporters of DHS praised the video, some calling it “brilliant” or “badass,” applauding the aggressive tone under Trump’s second administration. One high-ranking comment on Instagram read, “Whoever is behind the social medias, well done 🙌❤️😂.”
- Critics and Trolls mocked DHS by turning its propaganda against itself. A top Instagram comment quipped:
“Don’t forget to catch all of the people on the Epstein list 😍—gotta catch ’em all, right?” Others shared memes featuring Jeffrey Epstein as a Pokémon, with one GIF overlaid with the viral phrase, “Epstein didn’t kill himself.”
The reference stings because Trump was reportedly close to Epstein for over 15 years. Despite early promises from officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to release detailed records on Epstein’s network, those documents remain hidden.
The meme war shows how easily attempts at state propaganda can backfire in an online environment where audiences are quick to remix and ridicule official messaging.
DHS’s “Pokémon Cards”
The Pokémon theme did not stop with the viral video. In follow-up posts, DHS uploaded graphics styled like Pokémon trading cards. Each “card” featured a mugshot-style image of an arrestee, with details such as name, age, nationality, and a label branding them “worst of the worst.”
Flags of detainees’ countries of origin were displayed behind their heads, and the cards included fake “stats” reminiscent of Pokémon cards. Critics slammed this as dehumanizing, xenophobic, and dangerously reminiscent of propaganda tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
DHS’s History of Questionable Media Use
The Pokémon incident is not an isolated case. Since Trump’s second term began, DHS has repeatedly used copyrighted media, movie clips, and pop songs in official posts without evidence of licensing.
- The Batman (2022): In July, DHS released a video splicing a voiceover from the recent Batman film with a Bible verse, framing agents as dark, avenging figures.
- “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”: Another video featured the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s rendition of this classic, previously used in a Netflix series. The Instagram audio was later removed—likely due to copyright violations.
- Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”: DHS shared another montage set to a cover of Nirvana’s iconic grunge anthem, incorporating what sounded like snippets of the original. Again, it’s unclear whether permission was obtained.
- Thomas Kinkade Art: The estate of painter Thomas Kinkade issued a statement condemning DHS’s unauthorized use of “Morning Pledge,” a sentimental painting repurposed in propaganda content.
The repeated pattern suggests little regard for copyright law. Ironically, the same government that enforces intellectual property rights is disregarding them to push its messaging.
The Broader Strategy: Fear and Nostalgia
Thematically, DHS’s media strategy leans heavily on two ideas:
- Fear of the Other: Videos glorify masked agents breaking down doors, storming facilities, and arresting people whose faces are blurred but marked as foreign. The imagery suggests that danger lurks in immigrant communities and must be eradicated.
- Nostalgia for a “Whiter” America: Use of old songs, Christian hymns, patriotic paintings, and now Pokémon nostalgia appears designed to evoke a longing for a supposedly simpler, more traditional America. Critics argue this deliberately ties propaganda to nationalist, patriarchal, and exclusionary ideals.
This mix of nostalgia and militarism is deeply effective at rallying a base but disturbing in its implications.
Real-World Consequences of DHS Rhetoric
While the media spectacle grabs headlines, the underlying reality is grim.
- Deaths in Detention: According to NPR, 15 people have died in U.S. immigration detention since Trump’s second inauguration in January. Ten of those deaths occurred within the first six months of the year—the highest such toll on record.
- Violence Against Protesters: Peaceful demonstrators have been attacked at ICE facilities. Most recently, Illinois congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was injured during a protest in Broadview.
- Terror in Communities: Families live in fear of raids, and children have been directly used in enforcement tactics.
Behind the pop culture packaging is a deadly system that continues to expand its reach and intensify its brutality.
Intellectual Property and Legal Questions
The use of Pokémon—and other copyrighted content—by DHS raises serious legal concerns. While private citizens and creators face lawsuits and takedowns for even minor copyright infringements, DHS seems to operate with impunity.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have aggressively protected their brand in the past, targeting even small-scale fan projects. It remains to be seen whether they will take legal action against a U.S. federal agency, but their public statement indicates strong disapproval.
If left unchallenged, this may embolden government agencies to continue exploiting copyrighted works to sanitize or glorify their operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did DHS post with Pokémon music?
DHS released a one-minute video on X and Instagram showing armed federal agents raiding homes and arresting people. The background track was the iconic Pokémon theme song, “I wanna be the very best.”
Did DHS have permission to use Pokémon music or imagery?
No. Pokémon Company International confirmed it was not involved in the video and that no permission was granted for the use of its intellectual property.
Why did DHS use Pokémon music in the first place?
The agency appears to be trying to reframe immigration enforcement as a heroic act, tapping into nostalgia and pop culture references to reach younger audiences online. Critics argue it trivializes violence and dehumanizes detainees.
Has DHS used copyrighted material in other posts?
Yes. DHS has previously posted content using audio from The Batman (2022), Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s “God’s Gonna Cut You Down,” and even paintings by Thomas Kinkade—without evidence of proper licensing.
Could Nintendo or The Pokémon Company take legal action against DHS?
In theory, yes. Both companies are known for protecting their intellectual property. However, legal action against a federal government agency would be complicated and unprecedented.
What are the broader concerns about these DHS videos?
Beyond copyright violations, the videos raise concerns about propaganda, fear-mongering, and the normalization of militarized immigration enforcement under the guise of pop culture nostalgia.
Conclusion
The Department of Homeland Security’s bizarre decision to use Pokémon music and imagery is more than a tone-deaf attempt at internet virality. It reflects a troubling propaganda strategy that mixes fear, nostalgia, and stolen cultural symbols to normalize violence and dehumanization.
The backlash—ranging from ridicule to legal questions—shows the limits of this approach. While some cheer, many others recognize the danger of trivializing state power through borrowed pop culture.
