“Now Zach Bryan is facing direct criticism from Kristi Noem over a newly teased song in which he appears to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids — and she’s calling the track “disrespectful” to both law-enforcement and the country at large. (Source: ABC News)

In a recent interview on conservative podcaster Benny Johnson’s show, Noem confirmed she listened to a snippet of Bryan’s unreleased song (widely referenced as “Bad News”), in which Bryan sings that “ICE is gonna come bust down your door.”Noem stated, “I hope he understands how completely disrespectful that song is, not just to law enforcement but to this country.” (Source: Entertainment Weekly)

She further added: “To every single individual that has stood up and fought for our freedoms, he just compromised it all by putting out a product such as that, that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe.”  Moreover, she made it clear that she has never been a fan of Bryan’s work — saying she’s glad she’s never given him “a single penny.” 

Noem didn’t stop there: she took a swipe at him by saying she now plans to download songs from other country artists such as Jason Aldean, John Rich, Jon Pardi and Kid Rock— because, she claims, they “know what it means to stand up to freedom.” 

On the flip side, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reportedly used Bryan’s earlier hit “Revival” in a recruitment video, and a DHS spokesperson suggested he should “stick to ‘Pink Skies’,” another of his songs. Bryan is aware of the backlash. He took to Instagram to say the song is actually “about how much I love the U.S.A.” and insisted: “When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle.” 

In his statement, Bryan also commented: “Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back.”  He further emphasized his background, having served in the U.S. Navy, writing: “I served this country. I love this country … I wasn’t speaking as a politician or some greater-than-thou a------, just a 29-year-old man who is just as confused as everyone else.” 

Additional context:
• The song snippet provoked broad attention because its lyrics describe a sense of fear and tension around immigration enforcement actions — e.g., “ICE is gonna come bust down your door … kids are all scared and all alone.” 
• Critics of Noem’s approach, such as the hosts of The View, have pointed out that Bryan is a veteran and has not publicly aligned with a political party, and thus his right to social commentary via music should be acknowledged. 
• The controversy also reflects broader cultural divisions within country music and American society: while country music has traditionally leaned conservative, newer voices like Bryan’s are complicating that landscape. 

In summary: Kristi Noem has accused Zach Bryan of undermining the work of law-enforcement officers and the country’s values through his new song, while Bryan contests that the track is a reflection of his love for the nation and its people — not a partisan attack. The discourse around the song has touched on issues of immigration enforcement, free speech, veteran identity, and the role of artists in social commentary.