The Department of Homeland Security criticized popular country music star Zach Bryan for an unreleased song that takes aim at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bryan shared a preview of the controversial track on Instagram, where he sings about law enforcement and ICE actions. In response, DHS officials posted a video of ICE arrests set to one of Bryan’s songs, suggesting they were having an “All Night Revival.” When questioned by TMZ, a DHS representative advised Bryan to stick to his other songs like “Pink Skies.”
Bryan later clarified his intentions, stating that the song was written three months ago and was not meant to be divisive. He emphasized that the full context of the song touches on both sides of the political spectrum. Despite addressing the controversy on social media, Bryan expressed disappointment at how the song stirred up strong reactions, highlighting the division in society.
The song touches on themes of discord in American society, with lyrics referencing the fading symbolism of the red, white, and blue. However, given the ongoing debates around immigration policies and political activism, Bryan’s song became embroiled in discussions about politically charged art.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for its immigration enforcement tactics, with a significant increase in arrests compared to previous years. Additionally, the DHS has been using social media to showcase its activities, sometimes incorporating popular culture references. However, these actions have occasionally led to backlash, as seen with comedian Theo Von objecting to his content being used in deportation-related videos without consent. Subsequently, the DHS faced another copyright issue for using the Pokemon theme song without permission, prompting a response from The Pokemon Company International.