Radiohead Blasts ICE Over Song Use
Radiohead told ICE to "go f*ck yourselves" after the U.S. Immigration agency used their song "Let Down" in a social media post. The band's blunt rebuke has sparked widespread discussion among fans and artists about the ethics and politics of music licensing by government agencies. The incident highlights growing tensions between artists and how their work gets used politically.
The use of a choral version of "Let Down" in an ICE social media post is part of a broader campaign by the agency to highlight "criminal illegal alien violence." The video, which was also shared by White House and Department of Homeland Security accounts, featured images of victims of violent crimes with the message "This is who we fight for. This is our why." Radiohead was not the first band to have its music used in this campaign; previously, both SZA and Sabrina Carpenter had also spoken out against their songs being used in similar videos. This incident is the latest in a long series of clashes between musical artists and the Trump administration over the unauthorized use of their music. Dozens of musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Adele, and the estates of Tom Petty and Prince, have demanded that their music not be used at rallies and in campaign materials. These objections often lead to cease-and-desist letters, with some cases, like those involving the estates of Isaac Hayes and Eddy Grant, resulting in lawsuits and preliminary injunctions against the campaign. Artists' objections to the political use of their music are not a new phenomenon and are not limited to one political party. Bruce Springsteen famously objected to the Reagan campaign's use of "Born in the U.S.A." in 1984, and artists have raised similar concerns with the campaigns of George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. However, the frequency of these disputes has notably increased during the Trump presidency. The legal recourse for artists in these situations can be complex. While political campaigns can often obtain "blanket licenses" from performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI that allow them to play a vast catalog of music, these licenses don't necessarily cover use in advertisements or social media videos. Artists can also argue that the use of their music implies a false endorsement, which can be grounds for legal action under the Lanham Act. Radiohead has a long history of political engagement and activism. The band's 2003 album, *Hail to the Thief*, was a direct critique of the George W. Bush administration and the War on Terror. Frontman Thom Yorke has been an outspoken critic of various political figures and has supported causes related to climate change and human rights. The band's stance on political issues has not been without controversy. They faced criticism from pro-Palestinian activists for performing in Israel in 2017. More recently, both Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood have been the subject of protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a lengthy statement, Yorke has condemned the actions of the Israeli government while also criticizing what he termed "social media witch-hunts."
