Zach Bryan, a prominent country music artist, faces backlash after targeting ICE in a teaser for his upcoming song. ICE supporters and conservatives were outraged about the lyrics in the teaser. The lyrics include phrases such as “Ice is going to come bust down your door. Try to build a house no one builds no more”.

The lyrics have been interpreted as a targeted critique of ICE’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which some deem as unconstitutional and plain wrong. Critics argue that the lyrics are disrespectful and uncivil to those who serve in ICE. While some supporters of Bryan convey that he is just using his First Amendment right, which is freedom of speech, and shedding light on a harsh reality through his songs, using his platform.

The reaction online and on social media has been polarizing. Some fans of Bryan have taken to social media to say they are no longer fans of him, being upset that he entered political territory, saying that music shouldn’t be political. Some other fans of Bryan have congratulated him on his bravery to be able to put sensitive topics and his songs, like ERHS student Rosalia Chavez, who said, “music has always been political, if that’s what the person wants to sing about, it’s all about being able to say what you want, aka freedom of speech,” Chavez shares. Many other people share this view, saying that music has always been political, and they’re glad Bryan decided to use his platform to speak out about ongoing issues in America.

Zach Bryan has addressed the controversy, saying that the song is about, “The love for this country and everyone in it”. He added that using it, “As a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we are,” urging us to come back to being united as a country once again.