Growing number of companies push back on DHS posts using their content

Source: Scripps News

Posted 11:04 AM, Aug 20, 2025


A growing number of U.S. corporations and pop culture artists are publicly distancing themselves from the Department of Homeland Security and criticizing the agency for utilizing their content in posts and branding aimed at immigration enforcement activities and new officer recruitment.

In recent weeks, companies including INDYCAR, Penske Truck Rental and Ford Motor Company have all said that their content was used by DHS without permission or in violation of company policies. Popular bands and artists including Semisonic, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC), Jess Glynne, Thomas Kinkade and Morgan Weistling have similarly asked DHS to stop using their work or take down posts.

Reached by Scripps News, a DHS spokesperson declined to answer questions about the process by which DHS identifies and clears intellectual property, nor would the official state how the agency is responding to the companies’ criticisms. The agency said in a statement only that, “DHS will continue using every tool at its disposal to keep the American people informed as our agents work to Make America Safe Again.”

Elected officials and political campaigns utilizing pop culture material for online memes and social media posts is nothing new, and the Trump campaign has long received criticism from artists about its use of their material without permission.

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/immigration/growing-number-of-companies-push-back-on-dhs-posts-using-their-content