The Pokémon Company International has spoken out against a viral video shared by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The video used Pokémon imagery and style without permission.
Pokémon Company Denounces DHS Video
It depicted ICE agents conducting raids on undocumented immigrants, comparing them to Pokémon being “caught” like cards.
A Pokémon spokesperson told the Daily Beast that the company did not make or share the video. The spokesperson said the company did not grant permission to use its intellectual property. Nintendo partly owns Pokémon, which increases the potential for legal issues.
The video was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. It quickly went viral, racking up over 67 million views by Wednesday morning. The clip shows masked agents blowing open doors and leading suspected immigrants away. The video sets all of this to the iconic Pokémon theme song. The caption on the video reads, “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” clearly mimicking the famous franchise slogan.
Even U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined in the meme. They shared a GIF showing a dancing Pikachu, joking that it was the agency’s “newest recruit.” Fans and critics quickly criticized both the DHS and Customs for using a popular children’s brand in this manner.
Legal Risks for Kristi Noem
Some of the footage in the viral video appears connected to a controversial raid that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has already faced legal scrutiny for. The Daily Beast reports that this could expose Noem to further legal trouble, including the possibility of being subpoenaed.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, shared his concerns on X. He explained that DHS agents first blew open the door at a home where multiple U.S. citizens lived.
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Moreover, the agents reportedly did not show the residents a warrant; however, they handcuffed them and then led them into the light of cameras that Noem reportedly brought to the raid for public relations purposes.
The combination of real-life legal questions about the raid and the unauthorized use of Pokémon imagery has, therefore, created a highly unusual situation. In addition, legal experts note that using copyrighted material without permission can lead to lawsuits, even for government agencies. As a result, Pokémon fans and legal analysts alike are now closely watching how the company will respond.
Public Reaction and Backlash
The public reaction to the video has been swift and largely critical. Many viewers expressed outrage on social media, calling for legal action against the government for using Pokémon’s intellectual property. Fans argued that it is inappropriate to associate a children’s franchise with immigration enforcement and public raids.
The video’s meme-style presentation drew widespread attention. Critics argue that using playful, cartoon-style graphics to depict serious law enforcement actions undermines the severity of the events and could be seen as mocking the affected families.
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Pokémon’s statement makes it clear that the company did not approve the content. Legal experts say that this opens the door for potential copyright infringement claims against DHS. Some legal analysts suggest that if Pokémon pursues action, it could include requests to remove the video and seek damages for the unauthorized use of its brand.
The combination of public backlash, legal scrutiny over the raid itself, and Pokémon’s intellectual property claim has made this incident a major talking point online. With millions of views and strong reactions from fans and experts, this story highlights the intersection of social media, government actions, and copyright law.
