Rumors that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a video using imagery and music from the popular media franchise "Pokémon," co-owned by video game publisher Nintendo and game developer GameFreak, circulated online in late September 2025.
According to claims circulating on social media websites such as X (archived), Facebook (archived), and Reddit, the video featured footage of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids alongside clips from the "Pokémon" TV show intro segment and its theme song, colloquially referred to by the franchise's catchphrase, "Gotta Catch 'em All."
One user on Reddit commented, "I wanna see the Trump administration go up against Nintendo's legal department," suggesting the use of "Pokémon" was unsanctioned.
"Pokémon" is a franchise about collecting and training creatures to do battle against one another and has been the subject of a wide range of video games, films, television shows, trading card games, and more.
The rumor that DHS posted a video to its social media accounts featuring footage of ICE raids spliced with "Pokémon" imagery and music is true.
DHS posted the video to its X account (archived) and Facebook page (archived) on Sept. 22, 2025. The same video was featured on the Stories section of its official Instagram account.
Reached for comment and asked whether DHS received permission from Nintendo for using the "Pokémon" intellectual property (IP), a DHS spokesperson told Snopes via email, "To arrest them is our real test. To deport them is our cause."
The comment was a reference to the "Pokémon" theme song. The video featured the first verse and chorus of the song, the lyrics of which are:
I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(Pokémon)
(Gotta catch 'em all) It's you and me
I know it's my destiny (Pokémon)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend (Pokémon)
(Gotta catch 'em all) A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you (Ooh, ooh)
Pokémon! (Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
In addition, the video in question also featured mock-up images of the alleged "worst of the worst" people whom ICE had arrested as "Pokémon" cards, a popular trading card game based on Nintendo's hit franchise. The DHS Facebook page also made a separate post (archived) featuring these images.
The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), which represents the shared ownership of the media franchise between Nintendo and GameFreak, lists "diversity and inclusion" as a "core value" on its official website, saying, "TPCi believes in a just and equitable world and that every person, employee, and fan has the unique skills, powers, and purpose to contribute to this common cause."
Further, TPCi's website states, "We hope to help make the world a better place for everyone by creating opportunities to bond and grow through shared journeys and friendly competition."
Given that the Trump administration has been staunchly in opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it seemed unlikely that Nintendo, GameFreak or TPCi gave DHS permission to use the IP in such a manner.
A spokesperson for TPCi told Snopes via email, "We are aware of a recent video posted by the Department of Homeland Security that includes imagery and language associated with our brand. 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."