Pokémon and Theo Von: Why They Don’t Belong in DHS Videos
▼ Summary
– The Department of Homeland Security used the Pokémon theme song and a clip of podcaster Theo Von in social media posts promoting ICE raids and deportations.
– Both The Pokémon Company and Theo Von publicly objected to the DHS using their content without permission for this purpose.
– Theo Von demanded the post featuring him be taken down, while The Pokémon Company issued a formal statement denying any involvement or granting of permission.
– A legal expert suggested it is unlikely The Pokémon Company will sue, predicting the controversy will quickly blow over.
– The DHS removed the post featuring Theo Von, but the Pokémon-themed post remained active, with a Border Patrol account even adding a related GIF.
The Department of Homeland Security recently sparked controversy by incorporating unapproved content from popular culture into its social media campaigns. In a surprising move, the agency posted a video montage of ICE raids set to the original Pokémon theme song, using the franchise’s catchphrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” alongside anime imagery and a font mimicking the Pokémon style. A separate post featured comedian Theo Von’s viral clip where he states, “heard you got deported, dude… bye,” paired with statistics on deportations under the Trump administration.
Both parties quickly voiced their disapproval. Theo Von responded directly on social media, writing, “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.” His post was later removed by DHS, suggesting the agency may have reconsidered its approach after his public objection.
The Pokémon Company issued a more formal statement, clarifying it had no involvement in the content’s creation or distribution and did not grant permission for its intellectual property to be used. Despite calls from fans for legal action, former chief legal officer Don McGowan indicated that a lawsuit is improbable, predicting the situation would quickly fade from public attention.
While the Theo Von video was taken down, the Pokémon-themed post remains active. In a further nod to the franchise, the Customs and Border Patrol account even replied with a GIF of Detective Pikachu labeled “Border Patrol’s newest recruit,” indicating the agency’s willingness to lean into the reference despite the backlash.
(Source: The Verge)
