The White House’s recent social media move has sparked a wave of surprise and controversy—ICE arrests set to the iconic Pokémon theme song. For months, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been sharing unsettling videos online that highlight its intensified immigration raids, often in a way that feels more like a celebration than a serious law enforcement update. But their latest video takes this to a new, unexpected level by pairing footage of these arrests with the upbeat, catchy tune of the Pokémon anime opening—a song beloved by millions worldwide, especially younger audiences.
What’s truly striking is how widespread this video became. It wasn’t just posted on the Department of Homeland Security’s official X (formerly Twitter) account but also shared on the White House’s TikTok page, aiming directly at younger viewers who resonate with that platform and the nostalgic Pokémon franchise. The video was cleverly captioned “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” a phrase deeply tied to the Pokémon brand, suggesting a play on words linking the agency’s mission to detain individuals with collecting Pokémon creatures.
But here's where it gets controversial—the video doesn’t stop at just the theme song. It intersperses clips from the Pokémon anime, showcasing the main character, Ash Ketchum, throwing a Poké Ball. Toward the end, viewers see customized Pokémon-style cards featuring photos of actual detainees alongside the accusations against them. This blending of serious immigration enforcement with popular culture elements triggered mixed reactions, drawing over 30 million views on X and nearly 4 million on TikTok.
A major legal and ethical question arises: the video uses Pokémon’s intellectual property without permission. Nintendo, which owns a significant share of the Pokémon franchise through The Pokémon Company, has been called upon by fans to take legal action against the U.S. government for unauthorized use of the theme song and associated imagery. This incident isn't isolated; the Department of Homeland Security has previously faced criticism and legal pushback for using copyrighted material. For example, last August, an ICE propaganda video was taken down after it unlawfully featured JAY-Z’s 2003 track "Public Service Announcement," demonstrating a pattern of questionable use of copyrighted works.
As of now, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have remained silent on this particular use of their trademarked song by the White House to promote ICE operations. This silence only adds fuel to the debate over whether the government’s use of popular culture for such a politically charged message crosses a line, both legally and morally.
And this is the part most people miss—beyond copyright issues, this approach raises deeper questions about how government agencies choose to communicate sensitive and impactful actions to the public. Is it appropriate to gamify or trivialize serious topics like immigration enforcement using nostalgic entertainment brands? Should a beloved and family-friendly franchise like Pokémon be tied to real-world consequences that impact individuals’ lives in such a direct way?
What do you think? Does using a playful theme song to highlight arrests serve a purpose in public messaging, or does it risk undermining the gravity of the situation? And should companies like Nintendo step in to protect their brands, regardless of who is using them? Share your thoughts—this is where perspectives are sure to differ.
