co-opt

appoint summarily or commandeer

“The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups”

choose or elect as a fellow member or colleague

“The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation”

neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group

“We co-opted the independent minority tribes by pulling them into the Northern Alliance”

take or assume for one's own use

“He co-opted the criticism and embraced it”