Homeland Security Criticized for Using Brian Dawkins Highlight Reel to Promote Border Measures

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has faced criticism after its official account shared a video montage featuring highlights of former Philadelphia Eagles safety and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins. The footage was used to promote the department's efforts at the southern border.

The DHS account quote-tweeted a post from @LeadingReport that stated a "Huge migrant caravan headed towards" the U.S.-Mexico border. In response, the DHS shared a video of Dawkins, set to the song 'Blind' by Korn, featuring clips of his iconic walkouts, including one where he is heard saying, "My time has come." A graphic accompanying the video showed Dawkins crawling on all fours with the caption, "The Border Is Closed."

Dawkins, known for his intense on-field presence and his alter ego 'Weapon X,' played 13 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Eagles. The team's chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Lurie, has previously been critical of former President Trump.

Questions arose regarding the permission granted for the use of the footage. Professional sports leagues in the United States commonly require "express written consent" for the use of their game footage. The Daily Mail reported that neither the DHS nor the NFL immediately responded to requests for comment on whether permission was obtained for the video's use.

This incident is not the first time a government account has utilized footage from major U.S. sports leagues without explicit comment on permission. In March 2026, the official White House account posted edited military explosion footage interspersed with highlights from the NFL and MLB, also without immediate confirmation of league approval.

Previous instances have seen companies and musicians publicly condemn the government's use of their intellectual property without authorization. The Pokemon Company has previously stated they were not involved in the creation or distribution of content featuring their characters and that no permission was granted. Additionally, a Wikipedia entry documents numerous artists who have spoken out against administrations for using their music without permission or authorization.