Department of Homeland Security tell Chappell Roan to “get a grip” after she decried ICE at Pasadena concert

The Department of Homeland Security have told Chappell Roan to “get a grip” after she decried ICE at a recent concert.

• READ MORE: Chappell Roan on the cover: the pop supernova who feels like one of the ‘Drag Race’ girls

At the first of two appearances at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl-adjacent Brookside venue on Friday night (October 10), the pop superstar reflected on her roots and love of LA, calling it her “favourite city in the world”.

“I’ve been living here nine years. I’m originally from Missouri, and I had a really, really tough time the first five years,” she said (per Variety), going on to reflect on witnessing the collective effort to rebuild after the devastating wildfires earlier this year.

“I’m not gonna be eloquent about this, [but] I loved LA more than ever than when I saw how the community came together in Altadena to help, same with the Palisades. I just realised that I’m so lucky to be able to live here and to play here, and the city has taken care of me, and it’s my duty to take care of it back.

“Oh,” she added, “Fuck ICE forever.” After she repeated the phrase, the crowd joined in and began chanting it.

“F**k ICE forever.”

— Chappell Roan at her show in Pasadena pic.twitter.com/B31dnsSWV0

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 11, 2025

Roan’s words triggered a response from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, who told TMZ: “‘Pink Pony Club’ is good. Pedophiles are bad. That’s who we’re getting off of our streets. Get a grip.”

As noted in a report by The Guardian in September, data released by the government shows that immigrants with no criminal record now make up the largest group in US immigration detention.

This means that the number of people with no criminal history – relative to sexual crimes as insinuated by McLaughlin or otherwise – arrested by ICE and detained by the Trump administration have now surpassed the number of those charged with crimes.

Earlier this summer, a huge wave of ICE raids hit saw several workplaces hit, with countless people deported for alleged immigration violations. The raids prompted huge protests in LA, where President Donald Trump later authorised the deployment of the National Guard in response.

It is not the first time a right-wing politician has waded into cultural affairs, particularly if musicians have used their platform to hit out at the President’s immigration policies.

McLaughlin similarly told Zach Bryan to “stick to ‘Pink Skies’” recently, referring to the singer’s famous tune where he sings about children who are proud of being raised in America, after he shared a snippet a track seemingly critical of ICE.

Among the other numerous artists who have spoken out against the ICE raids – which include Olivia Rodrigo, Addison Rae and Shakira – is Bad Bunny, who previously witnessed an ICE raid in Puerto Rico in June. Following the raid, he declared that his world tour would not hit the United States, as he was afraid of ICE agents raiding his shows and affecting the audience and their lives.

He has since been announced to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show next year, and Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski and US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have already confirmed that ICE agents will be present at the Super Bowl and that illegal immigrants will not be safe.

Turning Point USA – the right-wing org founded by the late Charlie Kirk – have since announced that they will be hosting a Super Bowl halftime show to counter-protest Bad Bunny‘s headline slot.

The post Department of Homeland Security tell Chappell Roan to “get a grip” after she decried ICE at Pasadena concert appeared first on NME.