Florida GOP forced to pull 'Deportation Depot' merchandise by Home Depot

In the United States, the Florida Republican Party faced backlash after selling merchandise branded as 'Deportation Depot' to promote a new facility for holding immigrants. The items included T-shirts and hats designed to mimic the Home Depot logo, with proceeds intended for the Republican Party of Florida. This merchandise was available for sale on the party's website until Home Depot raised concerns about the unauthorized use of its branding. A spokesperson from Home Depot stated that they do not permit others to use their logos for commercial purposes and had not approved the Florida GOP's designs. The company's objection came amidst heightened immigration enforcement led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has conducted raids at Home Depot locations, raising awareness of immigrant detentions and sparking protests associated with these operations. Following the brand dispute, the Florida GOP removed the merchandise and social media posts promoting the products, despite claiming that their designs were a form of political speech protected by the First Amendment. This incident reflects a growing trend where brands are distancing themselves from controversial political agendas, particularly those concerning immigration enforcement that have been linked to the Trump administration's policies. As public sentiments shift in light of opposition to such measures, many companies are reluctant to associate their identities with this narrative, further complicating political branding efforts among partisan organizations.