Grammy-winning country music artist Zach Bryan recently posted a sneak peek at his upcoming release on Instagram, leaving country fans all over America with mixed emotions. The one-minute clip of Bryan performing “Bad News” has resonated with victims of political violence currently taking place in the U.S. By speaking out, Bryan has added fuel to the controversy surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan has intensified after the Deputy White House Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, ‌instructed ICE teams to arrest up to 3,000 immigrants daily. This significant increase in ICE activity throughout the U.S.A. has struck a sense of fear within immigrant communities, threatening to tear apart families.

Bryan highlights the severity of the situation by directly addressing ICE officers as individuals who will “come bust down your door, try to build a house no one builds no more.” With this, Bryan enhances the idea that immigrants who move to America are primarily seeking opportunities to improve their lives. Yet with ICE raids, immigrants are stripped of stability, forced to live in a hostile environment with threats and discomfort in every corner. 

Politicians like Kristi Noem have shared their disapproval of the song, calling it “disrespectful” to anyone who has served the country. However, as a previous member of the U.S. Navy, Bryan’s lyrics hold double the value, giving the principle of being All-American a stronger meaning. 

After receiving backlash from his primarily conservative fanbase, Bryan responded with, “I love this country, and the song itself is about all of us coming out of this divided space.” He humbly remarks that he isn’t speaking as a politician or know-it-all, but as someone who is “just as confused as everyone else” regarding the situation. 

Pembroke Pines Charter High School Senior Danika Rivera explains the value of artists who speak up. “Not only does it speak to their character, but it also allows fans or the general public to become more informed about what is going on in our world. Being informed goes a long way.”

In the song, he comments on the emotional impact felt by families throughout the U.S. “Kids are all scared and all alone,” Bryan sings, emphasizing how conflicting political viewpoints have disrupted the nation’s harmony, affecting humanity as a whole. 

On the other hand, “Bad News” has brought in a new side of support to Bryan’s fanbase. Some are commenting on the country’s history, when cowboys used to rebel against the government, portraying Bryan as a courageous, upstanding citizen. 

Senior Sophia Alvarez explains the influence of celebrities on political topics such as this one. She shares, “It feels empowering seeing people with more publicity talk about how they don’t stand for the abuse that immigrants are facing. I feel like more music artists should speak about the stuff happening in America.”

“Bad News” has stirred up the pot for all music fans, showing the lack of peace and harmony in America. Whether conservative, liberal, or in between, Zach Bryan’s subtle yet powerful message has struck a chord within America’s society.