No bulbas, sorry, here.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains unfazed following a backlash from Pokémon’s parent company regarding the use of the iconic phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” in social media campaigns endorsing ICE deportations.
“To arrest them is our real test. To deport them is our cause,” a spokesperson for the DHS quipped to The Post on Thursday, cleverly referencing the beloved theme song’s lyrics.
This response came after Pokémon Company International condemned the incorporation of their trademarked song in a video illustrating arrests and deportations of undocumented migrants.
“We are aware of a recent video shared by the Department of Homeland Security that features imagery and language associated with our brand,” the company relayed to The New York Times.
blended the Pokémon theme song with real
footage of ICE arrests. @DHSgov/X
“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 statement concluded.
Both the official White House TikTok account and the DHS X account released a one-minute video on Monday that combined arrest footage with the opening sequence of the well-loved animated Pokémon series.
Inappropriate imagery of explosions, raids, and ICE arrests were interspersed with clips of protagonist Ash Ketchum from the nostalgic ’90s theme song.
The clip concludes with mock Pokémon cards depicting individuals identified as criminal aliens alongside their alleged felonies.
Charges levied against these individuals included murder, human trafficking, child molestation, and child endangerment. These arrest cards were also highlighted in various individual posts by the DHS on X.
Both videos remain available on their respective platforms.
Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company based in Japan, oversees the brand outside of Asia, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated series, and home entertainment, as stated on the company’s website.
Earlier this week, the DHS faced criticism for another video advocating deportations.
Comedian Theo Von publicly called out the agency for incorporating one of his trending clips where he quipped, “Heard you got deported dude. Bye,” as reported by The Hill .
According to that outlet, the agency removed that video upon Von’s request.
