Former South Dakota Gov. and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused nation star Zach Bryan of disrespecting regulation enforcement over his new demo, “Bad News.”

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Bryan launched a brief preview of “Bad News” on Oct. 3, 2025, sparking conservative backlash for its lyrics referencing ICE raids and police. On Instagram, he captioned the clip, “the fading of the red white and blue,” referencing one of many lyrics within the music.

Although critics and supporters alike noticed the monitor as clearly anti-law enforcement, Bryan disagreed. He claimed that it mirrored his difficult emotions concerning the nation he served within the Navy. He insisted the message was not meant to insult, however fairly was a private story.

Noem calls Bryan’s music “disrespectful”

Noem reportedly mentioned that she was “disappointed and disheartened” after hearing the demo. During an look on conservative podcast host Benny Johnson’s present, she argued the lyrics had been unfair to these in uniform.

“I hope he understands how completely disrespectful that song is, not just to law enforcement but to this country,” Noem mentioned. “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.”

The music contains sharp strains about ICE brokers. Bryan sings, “I heard the cops came / Cocky motherf**kers, ain’t they? / And ICE is gonna come bust down your door.”

Noem claimed Bryan had proven hypocrisy as a result of police additionally labored safety at his reveals. She added, “That’s what’s so special about law enforcement, is that they don’t pick and choose who they defend.”

She made it clear she by no means supported Bryan’s profession. “Zach, I didn’t listen to your music. I’m happy about that today,” she mentioned. “That makes me very happy that I never gave you a single penny to enrich your lifestyle, if you truly believe what that song stands for.”

Instead, she praised Jason Aldean, John Rich, Jon Pardi, and Kid Rock, saying, “Those guys know what it means to stand up to freedom.”

Bryan says the music is about unity, not division

In response, Bryan defended the monitor on his Instagram Story. He argued that critics had ignored its broader message. “I served this country, I love this country and the song itself is about all of us coming out of this divided space,” he wrote.

He defined that the complete model explores each political views. “When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle,” he famous. “Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back.”

Bryan pointed to his Navy service as proof of his dedication. “I wasn’t speaking as a politician or some greater-than-thou a**hole, just a 29 year old man who is just as confused as everyone else,” the singer continued. “Left wing or right wing, we’re all one bird and American.”

He admitted the controversy left him uneasy. “To see how much sh*t it stirred up makes me not only embarrassed but kind of scared,” he mentioned. Nonetheless, he emphasised that his objective was unity, not condemnation. “To all those disappointed in me on either side […] just know I’m trying to do my best too.”

“I am SO proud to have served in a country where we can all speak freely,” Bryan concluded.

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