Pasadena, CA — October 11, 2025
Pop star Chappell Roan caused a stir when she told a concert crowd, “F*** ICE forever” during a performance at the Rose Bowl. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is firing back — telling her to “get a grip.”
he Concert Moment That Sparked Backlash
- During her set, Roan shouted “F*** ICE,” triggering cheers from her audience, many of whom voiced support for her condemnation of recent immigration raids.
- Video from the show shows the crowd chanting in solidarity with her statement.
🇺🇸 Feds Respond with Force
- The DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, slammed Roan’s rhetoric, saying: “Pink Pony Club is good. Pedophiles are bad. That’s who we’re getting off our streets. Get a grip.”
- McLaughlin’s statement didn’t offer stats, but cited a Cato Institute study suggesting 65% of ICE detainees from October 2024 to mid-June 2025 had no criminal record.
- The feds are clearly treating this not just as an artistic statement, but as one with political stakes.
Why It Matters
- Roan’s remark highlights the tension between free speech, protest, and government authority — especially when it comes to immigration enforcement.
- The forceful government response suggests officials see her statement not just as entertainment, but as a challenge.
- It also mirrors wider debates about ICE, immigration, and public dissent, especially as artists increasingly take overt political stances.
