Zach Bryan Drops Anti-ICE Track, Blasts Trump Immigration Policies
Country music star Zach Bryan, who has typically stayed out of politics, took a sharp turn in his new song Bad News, which openly criticizes President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and targets ICE operations as a symbol of fading American ideals.
The Oklahoma-born singer, known for his chart-topping ballads like Something in the Orange, uses Bad News to paint a picture of disillusionment — describing cops as “cocky,” ICE raids as traumatic for children, and suggesting the “red, white and blue” is fading amid what he sees as heavy-handed enforcement tactics.
In one of the more pointed verses, Bryan sings:
“And ICE is gonna come, bust down your door
Try to build a house no one builds no more…
Kids are all scared and all alone
…The fading of the red, white and blue.”
The lyrics, posted in a teaser video on YouTube, sparked instant backlash from longtime fans and conservative commentators. Many saw the track as a betrayal from an artist who previously expressed strong support for law enforcement.
Just last year, Bryan was arrested in Oklahoma for obstructing an investigation during a traffic stop. At the time, he publicly apologized, saying, “I support law enforcement as much as anyone can,” and later honored slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller on social media. That made his recent lyrics all the more jarring to fans who viewed him as pro-cop.
Now, with Bad News, Bryan appears to side with anti-ICE protestors and critics of Trump’s deportation policies — questioning whether government force is tearing apart communities rather than protecting them.
The shift comes at a time when President Trump is expanding federal enforcement actions like Operation Midway Blitz, with ICE raids and troop deployments drawing national attention and sharp partisan division. Bryan’s lyrics play directly into that debate, raising questions about whether he’s making a permanent political turn or simply venting frustration through song.
Either way, Bryan’s decision to wade into the nation’s most divisive policy issue could mark a turning point — not just for his music, but for his relationship with a fan base that largely leans red.