In brief
The Pokémon Company International has firmly stated that it did not give permission for the use of its brand, including its iconic music and video footage, in a recent deportation video created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The video controversially combines footage of ICE raids with Pokémon's slogan and character imagery, prompting the company to distance itself from the project. Additionally, comedian Theo Von expressed his disapproval of being included in related DHS content without consent.
The Pokémon Company has stated that it did not authorize a recent video published by the U.S. government featuring its intellectual property in the context of deportation raids conducted by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
In an official statement, Pokémon Company International remarked, We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand. 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 contentious video shared by Homeland Security on its X account and the White House's TikTok, displayed real arrests made by border patrol agents alongside Pokémon's slogan, Gotta catch 'em all. Furthermore, it incorporated visuals from the opening credits of the Pokémon anime series, featuring main character Ash Ketchum.
Divisive content within the video included fabricated Pokémon trading cards depicting mugshots of individuals arrested by ICE, alongside allegations of serious crimes, raising moral and ethical concerns.
Amidst this, comedian Theo Von condemned another DHS video that incorporated a clip of him without permission, prompting him to request its removal and emphasizing the complexity of immigration issues compared to the simplistic portrayal in the video.
These actions come in light of a broader trend where the administration has utilized pop culture references and music in promotional content surrounding immigration and deportation, sparking feelings of indignation among artists and brands alike.
