Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson has unleashed a furious social media tirade against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), passionately declaring her support for immigrants, trans people, and socialism while branding the agency's officers as 'criminals'.
A Viral Rant Triggered by a Shooting
The 28-year-old singer, a long-time advocate for left-wing causes, posted a series of impassioned statements to her Instagram story. Her outburst was a direct reaction to the shooting of 37-year-old Minnesota woman, Renee Nicole Good, which involved an ICE agent.
In one stark post, Larsson wrote: 'Idk about yall but I'd rather have someone smoking crack on my couch than a f**king ICE agent ewwwwwwwww. They're criminals too. Killing, kidnapping, violent, hateful ones.'
She followed this with a sweeping declaration of solidarity, stating she 'loves' everyone from 'immigrants, criminals, trans people, abortions, queers, slutty women, contraception, welfare and socialism.' However, she bluntly concluded: 'I f**king hate ICE.'
Personal Motives Behind the Defence of 'Criminals'
Larsson provided a personal context for her defence of individuals with criminal records. She explained that her boyfriend, Swedish dancer Lamin Holmén, has been unable to visit her in the United States for nearly six years due to a past conviction.
'The reason why my sweet, loving, kind, caring, compassionate, smart, generous, talented, thoughtful man can't come to the US - AT ALL - to visit me ever since we got together almost six years ago is because he has a criminal record. Guess for what! Weed!' she wrote.
She expressed frustration that they 'spend months and months apart because of a little spliff over six years ago.'
Questioning the Mentality of ICE Agents
Reflecting on the shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, Larsson pondered what drives such officers. She questioned whether it was a combination of 'toxic masculinity', a 'frail ego', 'fear of people', 'low IQ', and influence from 'red pill podcasts'.
She also suggested a lack of parental love in childhood could be a factor, asking: 'Seriously, what happened in their heads that lead those men (mind you!! I have yet to see a female agent!!!) down this path?' Larsson accused ICE agents of being 'groomed by white supremacy and toxic masculinity.'
Her proposed solution was to 'teach little boys compassion and empathy, so they can grow up and view every person like a person.' She also claimed that 'the billionaire leaders are f**king drooling at the sight of society being this divided.'
She ended her rant with a defiant: 'We can change people. I believe that. I have to believe that. F**k ICE.'
Political Fallout and Divided Reactions
Larsson joined a chorus of left-leaning voices condemning the shooting, aligning with prominent Democrats, comedian Jimmy Kimmel, and NBA coach Steve Kerr. A group of 156 mostly left-wing lawmakers have demanded accountability from ICE in a letter to Homeland Security and ICE leadership, calling for an independent investigation and the suspension of a federal officer surge in Minneapolis.
Conversely, conservative figures have largely defended the shooting as an act of self-defence. Vice President JD Vance, after viewing newly-released footage from the incident, stated on X that the video proves Ross 'fired in self-defense' when his life was endangered.
Vance criticised the media's portrayal of the officer, calling it 'disgusting' and 'an all-time moment in shameless press propaganda.' He and the Trump administration have offered their full support to Ross and ICE officers nationwide, despite the agent being branded a 'murderer' by some Democrats and protests erupting across the country following Good's death.
