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British rock band Radiohead has demanded that the United States (US) government remove one of its songs from a social media video promoting a hardline federal immigration crackdown, accusing officials of using the track without permission.
The song, Let Down, taken from the band’s acclaimed 1997 album OK Computer, featured in a video posted on 18 February by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Instagram and Facebook.
It was said that the post showed photographs of people the government described as victims of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
The video was cross-promoted by the White House, Donald Trump, and the Department of Homeland Security, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Grammy-winning band.
In a statement issued on Friday, Radiohead said officials had acted without authorisation.
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“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,” the band said.
Asked by local newsmen to comment, the White House referred enquiries to the Department of Homeland Security.
A deputy assistant secretary, Lauren Bis, defended the video, saying it showed victims of crimes linked to illegal immigration and questioned what she described as a lack of compassion for their families.
Radiohead is the latest in a long line of musicians to object to the use of their work by Trump or government agencies aligned with him.
Artistes including Jack White, Beyoncé and Céline Dion have previously taken action to stop their music being used in political contexts.
The disputes intensified during the final months of the 2024 election campaign, when a federal judge ordered Trump’s campaign to stop using Hold On, I’m Coming by Isaac Hayes at rallies, following a lawsuit brought by the late artist’s estate.