The Department of Homeland Security has hit back at Hayley Williams after she shouted “Fuck ICE” while on stage.
The on-stage comments refer to what the Paramore singer shared while performing at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater in California on Saturday night (October 3) as part of her ongoing solo tour.
While at the venue performing her 2025 song ‘Ice In My OJ’, Williams paused midway through to declare ‘Fuck ICE’ – refering to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement department – and also shout out “Free motherfucking Palestine”.
She has spoken out in support of Palestine before, and recently stood in solidarity with the artists who dropped out of Ed Sheeran‘s tour, following Macklemore being dropped after calling for a “free Palestine”, by including them in her pre-show playlist.
Hayley Williams says “Fuck ICE” and “Free Palestine” at her show last night in Chula Vista, CA 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 (Video: charlieogdenn7 / TikTok) pic.twitter.com/tUHnx4YFD9
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) October 4, 2026
She has used her platform to speak out against Donald Trump in the past too, accusing the US President of having policies that are “a playbook for controlling and punishing women, poor people, people of colour, and the LGBTQ community”.
Now, following her recent comments on her solo tour, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has called out Williams for her comments and urged for the singer to acknowledge the work done by their agents.
“America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe,” they told Fox News Digital. “We suggest Ms. Williams to thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
This is not the first time an artist has used their platform to speak out against ICE. Last November, Olivia Rodrigo called out the organisation for using a section of her song ‘All-American Bitch’ in a video depicting ICE officers forcibly tackling and detaining people.
Hayley Williams (Paramore) lashes out at Trump during performance at iHeartRadio Music Festival. pic.twitter.com/BOTbXZ9Naw
— State of the Scene (@SOTSPodcast) September 21, 2024
Radiohead also issued a statement condemning the unauthorised use of a cover of their song ‘Let Down’, and Bruce Springsteen has been a particularly vocal opponent, calling for ICE to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis” and permitting the use of ‘Born In The USA’ in an anti-ICE video. He also wrote an anti-ICE protest song ‘Streets Of Minneapolis‘ which had its live debut during a surprise appearance at a benefit show hosted by Tom Morello.
Other artists and celebrities who have spoken out include Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Neil Young, Moby, Zara Larsson, musician and Stranger Things star Joe Keery, Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal, Duran Duran, Dave Matthews and more.
Elsewhere on ‘The Hayley Williams Show’ tour, the pop-punk icon has brought out Rico Nasty to perform ‘Airplanes’ for the first time in 16 years, and she has also announced a UK and European tour for summer 2027.
More recently, she paid tribute to her ex-husband, New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert, after he passed away, aged 45.
