The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently posted a short video promoting a major ICE raid and it didn’t go over quietly. The clip used and seemingly borrowed the iconic Pokémon theme music in the background. Fans are furious, and the video immediately raised eyebrows for crossing a line between government messaging and pop culture IP.
DHS Gov shared the video, showing agents in action, overlaid with the Pokémon theme melody. The intent was clearly to grab attention, dramatic music, swift cuts, and the association of the familiar tune with government authority. But instead of applause, the video stirred up outrage: viewers called it tone-deaf, disrespectful, and possibly illegal.
The Video Has Already Surpassed 31 Million Views
It didn’t take long: once the video dropped, people started sharing, reposting, debating. Before long, the view count exploded. At this writing, the video has over 31 million views, which shows both how viral it became and how much controversy it stirred up.
Some of the spread happened because people were criticizing it. Memes, reaction threads, parodies, those are free boosters for visibility. Even those who disagreed with the message at least watched to see what the fuss was about. And platforms love that kind of engagement.
Fans jumped in with sharp takes. One wrote, “Can you imagine having a montage of arresting you/deporting you being made, and then they make a Pokémon card out of you too. What do you even do after that? It’s literally over.”
Another warned, “As funny as this is, you might wanna delete it. Nintendo is notoriously Mega-Karen over these memes.” Others simply joked, “Nintendo lawyers don’t sleep.” Their comments turned frustration into viral fuel, blending humor with real concerns about copyright and tone.
The impact is two-fold: on one hand, ICE got major exposure, probably more than if they’d just released a standard press release. On the other hand, public trust may suffer. When an enforcement agency leans into pop culture references so freely, some view it as sensationalism. Others see it as undermining seriousness.
Meanwhile, there are real consequences. If Nintendo or whoever owns rights to the Pokémon theme decides to act legally, DHS could face infringement claims. Even if the government has some leeway under certain exemptions, the public relations fallout looks unwise if it’s found out that permission wasn’t granted.
Nintendo’s History Of Strict IP Enforcement Sparked Calls For Legal Action
Nintendo is known for fiercely protecting its creations. For decades, the company has gone after unlicensed uses of its music, characters, and themes. This latest video lines up with the kind of cases Nintendo usually challenges.
Lawyers have noted that even a short clip of a recognizable song can trigger copyright issues if it’s used without permission. Defenses like “fair use” exist, but they hinge on context, how much was used, whether it changes the original, and whether it affects the work’s value. With a high-profile government video, Nintendo could easily feel pushed to step in.
Suing a federal agency, though, is far more complicated. Sometimes governments enjoy exemptions, or DHS might have arranged a license we don’t yet know about. If the music rights weren’t cleared, DHS risks both legal trouble and a public backlash. For now, online debates are full of predictions, but the common theme is clear: fans don’t want cherished Pokémon music tied to an ICE operation.
Published: Sep 23, 2025 01:06 pm