Country musician Zach Bryan faced backlash after previewing ‘Bad News,’ a song criticizing ICE, prompting DHS to create a recruitment video using his music. The song, which includes lyrics lamenting the fading of national symbols and warning of ICE enforcement, quickly gained traction on social media. In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a recruitment video using Bryan’s past hit, ‘Revival,’ to showcase law enforcement activities. This move sparked significant reactions, with supporters of ICE lauding the video and left-wing accounts condemning the use of the song. The incident has further amplified debates over the role of artists in political discourse.
Fellow country star John Rich, known for the hit ‘Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),’ was among the critics of Bryan’s song, joking that Nashville is full of artists with similar views. Others compared Bryan’s stance to the ‘Bud Light moment,’ when conservative consumers distanced themselves from the brand after it aligned with a transgender influencer. These comparisons highlight the polarized reactions to Bryan’s critique of ICE.
The DHS recruitment video, featuring Bryan’s ‘Revival’ lyrics, depicted law enforcement actions such as cracking down on masked rioters and taking individuals into custody. The video’s use of the song’s lyrics, including the line about ‘having an all-night revival,’ was interpreted by some as a metaphor for law enforcement operations. The video drew massive reactions from supporters of ICE, while left-wing accounts criticized the DHS for leveraging the song for political messaging.
In the wake of the controversy, the DHS account shared a link to a Washington Examiner article questioning Bryan’s silence on issues like illegal immigration, specifically asking if he would write a song about murdered women like Laken Riley and Rachel Morin. The article, written by Christopher Tremoglie, posed rhetorical questions about the timing of Bryan’s critique of ICE compared to the broader issue of illegal immigration. This has added another layer to the debate, questioning the artist’s role in social and political issues.
While Bryan’s management did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital, the incident underscores the growing intersection between pop culture and political discourse. The DHS’s use of Bryan’s music has sparked discussions about free speech, artistic expression, and the potential for government agencies to co-opt cultural content for their messaging. The controversy also reflects the broader debates about the responsibilities of public figures in addressing societal issues.