Country star Zach Bryan praised for 'brave' ICE lyrics that people think will divide his fanbase

Country music fans have been blind sided by a new song released by Zach Bryan this week, in which he appears to take aim at America's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In a teaser released on Friday (3 Oct), the 29-year-old artist could be seen using his influential platform to address the agency's ongoing raids of immigrant communities in the States, as well as Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to take on mass deportation.

In the track that is yet to be named, Bryan can be heard singing: "I heard the cops came / Cocky motherf*****s, ain’t they?"

The chart-topper also called out ICE specifically, adding: "And ICE is gonna come bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more / But I got a telephone / Kids are all scared and all alone.

"The middle finger’s rising, and it won’t stop showing / Got some bad news / The fading of the red, white and blue."

Bryan referenced ICE specifically in his new track (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

By the sounds of things, Bryan's liberal stance on the matter has come as something of a surprise, given his long-standing support of US federal bodies, including the military and navy - the latter, under which he previously served.

On top of this, the genre of country as a whole as long been associated with Republicanism and conservative beliefs due to its popularity in Southern states, including Oklahoma, where Bryan grew up. its recurring themes of traditional values, religious faith (especially Christianity), patriotism, and rural life, and its intrinsic 'heartland' values.

Confessing their pleasant sense of astonishment, a number of people have since taken to social media to praise Bryan for his latest offering.

"I'm not a fan of Zach Bryan by any means but calling out ICE in a song as one of the biggest modern country artists is actually huge," one gushed.

Another agreed: "Hell yeah man. This is a brave stance knowing how country listeners swing."

Some Democrats were seemingly surprised by the singer's liberal stance (Keith Griner/Getty Images)

Double-checking they'd read the news correctly, a third questioned: "In country music? Thats new." A fourth went on to admit: "Proud of the man for taking what is going to be a very unpopular stand with his fans."

A fifth continued: "Finding out Zach Bryan isn’t MAGA is the highlight of my Monday morning." While another went on to note: "He just touched where most artist wouldn't - support all the way."

Some listeners, however, are seemingly reluctant to believe his stance, given the country music industry's long-standing affiliation with conservative and often nationalistic political stances. Others, meanwhile, took the opportunity to condemn the star entirely.

"No actual white country boy would be against ICE. That’s how you know he’s not true country," one disgruntled user hit out.

Another argued in support of the controversial enforcement agency, adding: "Imagine being against officers upholding the law and fighting crime. Democrats sure know how to be on the 20% of an 80/20 topic."