Radiohead blasts DHS over use of ‘Let Down’ in ICE video: 'This song means a lot to us'

Radiohead demanded that the 'amateurs in control' of ICE’s social media account remove the video
PUBLISHED FEB 28, 2026
Radiohead has publicly condemned the US Department of Homeland Security after its song 'Let Down' was used without permission in an ICE video promoting immigration enforcement (Getty Images)
Radiohead has publicly condemned the US Department of Homeland Security after its song 'Let Down' was used without permission in an ICE video promoting immigration enforcement (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Radiohead has slammed the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after its song ‘Let Down’ was used in a pro-ICE video.

In a statement, Radiohead said, “We demand that the amateurs in control of the ICE social media account take it down. It ain't funny, this song means a lot to us and other people, and you don't get to appropriate it without a fight.”

ICE justified its actions by releasing a video montage

ICE’s social media post was about “illegal alien violence” that affected thousands of American families. The video montage shows photos of the victims who lost their lives at the hands of those “who have no right to be in our country. This is who we fight for. This is why,” as the choral version of ‘Let Down’ plays in the background.



The video came at a time when a nationwide crackdown against immigrants had been going on. Many have called out the president and ICE for their harsh methods that took away the lives of two American citizens - Alex Pretti and Renee Good - in Minneapolis last month.

Radiohead asked 'Melania' creator to remove segment of music taken from 'Phantom Thread'

This came after earlier in February, ‘Phantom Thread’ director Paul Thomas Anderson and Radiohead’s lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood demanded the removal of a segment of music from the 2017 film from the ‘Melania’ documentary.

In a statement, obtained by Variety from Greenwood’s representative, the duo said, “It has come to our attention that a piece of music from Phantom Thread has been used in the 'Melania' documentary.”

“While Jonny Greenwood does not own the copyright in the score, Universal failed to consult Jonny on this third-party use which is a breach of his composer agreement. As a result Jonny and Paul Thomas Anderson have asked for it to be removed from the documentary,” they added.

ICE faced other singers' wrath in past

Meanwhile, this was not the first time Trump’s agency was publicly called out.

Olivia Rodrigo blasted ICE in the past for using her song in a video that showed agents chasing and detaining immigrants. She said, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”



Sabrina Carpenter also did not mince her words after the department took her song ‘Juno’ along with the video of immigrants being tackled and arrested.



“This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” she stated.

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