Criticism Aimed at Zach Bryan by DHS Secretary
On Tuesday, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, expressed her disapproval of country music artist Zach Bryan’s recent song lyrics, which are critical of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During an appearance on the “Benny Johnson Show,” she referred to the lyrics as “rude,” conveying her hope that Bryan understands the disrespect his song shows not just to law enforcement but to the country as a whole.
Zach Bryan’s Controversial Lyrics
Brian recently shared a snippet of his upcoming song titled “Bad News” on his Instagram. The excerpt depicts themes of police and ICE agents forcibly entering homes. The lyrics reflect a societal concern, stating, “All my friends are degenerates, but they’re all I got…” followed by thoughts on ICE and fear amongst children.
He concludes the snippet with an impactful line implying a sense of loss: “The red, white, and blue are gone.”
Response from Noem
Noem expressed her disappointment, suggesting that Bryan’s song undermines the efforts of those who work to ensure safety in communities. She stated, “For all the individuals who have stood up and fought for our freedoms, he just compromised everything by putting out a product that attacks the individuals who are trying to make our cities safe.”
She ended her remarks with an interesting note: “If you truly believe in what that song stands for, I’m so happy that I’ve never given you a dime.” Instead, she intends to support more traditionally conservative artists like Jason Aldean and John Rich.
Social Media Response
The Department of Homeland Security took to social media to further criticize Bryan by juxtaposing an ICE operation video with another of his songs, “Revival.”
In turn, Bryan addressed the backlash, emphasizing that the song aims to reflect the divisions in America. He remarked, “I wrote this song a few months ago… It shows how divisive it can be when stories are shoved down our throats through social media.” He also mentioned that there’s additional context to the lyrics that may not be immediately clear.
Ultimately, he expressed pride in serving the country, stating, “I’m just a 29-year-old guy who’s confused like everyone else.”
