Zach Bryan Takes Aim at ICE and Trump’s Immigration Policies in New Song

Country artist Zach Bryan, who has largely steered clear of political themes in his music, has released a new track that targets ICE and criticizes President Donald Trump’s stance on illegal immigration.

The song, “Bad News,” created quite a buzz when Bryan teased it last October, leading some fans to label him as pro-illegal immigration and anti-police.

This latest track portrays Bryan as a tough character. It opens with him declaring he didn’t “wake up dead or in jail” and proceeds to mention not having a girlfriend. He even calls the police “sassy assholes.” The full song is now available on YouTube.

In a bold shift, Bryan goes on to criticize ICE and Trump’s immigration policies. He accuses ICE of “breaking down” doors and frightening children, expressing that he’s giving the government a “middle finger.” He reflects on the decline of America due to these issues.

“Then ICE comes and breaks down your door.”
Try building a house that no one else is building.
But I got a call
All the children are scared and alone.
Bosses stopped colliding and rocks stopped rolling.
Even if I hold up my middle finger, it won’t stop
I have bad news
Fading of red, white, and blue.”

Following the teaser’s release, Bryan encountered backlash and argued that his message was being “misinterpreted.” In an Instagram Story, he expressed that he was “not only confused, but kind of horrified” by the responses.

He clarified that he loves his country and emphasized how the song is meant to bridge divisions. “I’m just a 29-year-old guy who’s just as confused as everyone else,” he noted. He believes the song resonates across political divides and views the backlash as a sign of how split society has become.

Interestingly, the Department of Homeland Security appropriated Bryan’s song “Revival” in a video showcasing Border Patrol and ICE operations, which didn’t sit well with him.

Now, Bryan finds himself in the middle of a significant political debate, advocating for undocumented immigrants. It raises the question: will his fans stand by him during this shift?

On a personal note, Bryan’s interactions with law enforcement haven’t always been smooth; he was arrested in Oklahoma in September 2023 for obstructing an investigation. He later reflected on the incident, admitting he overreacted during the traffic stop and expressed his support for law enforcement.

Interestingly, he previously honored police officers, including mourning the death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. However, his current stance suggests he might be stepping back from law enforcement support.