Pokémon, Theo Von Featured in DHS Videos – Unauthorized Use
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DHS’s Meme Experiment Sparks Outrage and Questions About Agency Tone
The U.S.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing criticism for a series of unconventional posts on its X (formerly Twitter) account, employing meme-style content to highlight enforcement actions. The posts,which began on Monday,September 25,2023,and continued on Tuesday,September 26,2023,have drawn condemnation from social media users and raised concerns about the appropriateness of the agency’s tone.
The Pokémon Meme and ICE Arrests
On September 25, 2023, DHS posted a video to X utilizing the iconic “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” catchphrase from the Pokémon franchise. The video frames Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests as a form of “catching” criminals. The video concludes by displaying mugshots of individuals arrested by ICE, presented as Pokémon trading cards, and listing their alleged crimes, which include serious offenses like murder, pedophilia, burglary, and child endangerment.
This comparison immediately drew backlash, with many users criticizing the agency for trivializing serious crimes and potentially exploiting the trauma of victims. The use of a children’s franchise to promote immigration enforcement was widely seen as notably insensitive.
Theo Von and Deportation Celebrations
The following day, September 26, 2023, DHS continued its unconventional approach by featuring podcast host Theo Von in a post on its X account. the post uses a sound bite from Von (“Heard you got deported, dude. Bye.”) to celebrate former President Trump’s record on deportations. The original clip, posted by @vvsrak, was taken out of its original comedic context.
Neither Von nor The Pokémon Company International were consulted before their content was used by DHS. Von has since responded to the post, stating he was unaware of its use and did not authorize it. The Pokémon Company has not yet publicly commented on the matter.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The DHS posts have been met with widespread condemnation across social media platforms. Critics argue that the agency’s attempt at humor is in poor taste, given the sensitive nature of immigration enforcement and the severity of the crimes mentioned. Many have questioned the agency’s judgment in using memes to communicate about such serious issues.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential for the posts to be perceived as dehumanizing towards immigrants and those accused of crimes. The use of mugshots and the framing of arrests as a “game” have been criticized as particularly problematic.
This recent foray into meme culture represents a significant departure from DHS’s traditionally more formal and serious social media presence. The agency’s X account typically focuses on providing details about security threats,disaster preparedness,and agency initiatives