A popular Nashville steakhouse co-owned by Trump supporter Kid Rock was forced to shut down during a massive ICE operation that led to the arrest of nearly 200 illegal immigrants, many with violent criminal histories. The incident underscores the sweeping impact of immigration enforcement—even on conservative-aligned businesses.
ICE Sweep Hits Downtown Nashville
Kid Rock’s Big A* Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse* temporarily closed its doors after employees received advance warning of a large-scale immigration raid. Staff members without legal documentation reportedly fled the premises, forcing the restaurant to halt operations on a normally busy night.
The restaurant’s owner, Steve Smith, a vocal Trump ally, faced the unexpected consequence of federal action that many on the right have long supported. Despite political alignment with the Trump administration’s tough-on-immigration stance, Smith’s business was directly impacted by the reality of those policies.
Kid Rock’s Nashville restaurant sent home staff in fear of ICE raid, report says https://t.co/H5aFu1flYP pic.twitter.com/HnPJFsKkUU
— The Independent (@Independent) May 16, 2025
196 Arrested—Including Criminals, Gang Members, and Sex Offenders
ICE confirmed 196 illegal immigrants were arrested during the coordinated sweep, which targeted individuals with serious criminal records. Of those detained, 95 had prior convictions—including MS-13 gang members, sex offenders, and drug traffickers. Officials stressed that the operation was not a random sweep but a focused mission to enhance public safety.
Assisted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, ICE agents carried out arrests across several locations in Nashville. Homeland Security characterized the mission as part of a broader effort to eliminate violent threats from American communities. The arrests align with priorities laid out by the returning Trump administration, which has vowed to ramp up enforcement against criminal illegal immigrants.
Service at high-profile MAGA supporter Kid Rock's Nashville restaurant came to an abrupt halt on a busy Saturday night after undocumented workers fled en masse to avoid rumored immigration raids favored by President Donald Trump, Nashville Scene reported. https://t.co/gGfNktXgYM
— Raw Story (@RawStory) May 16, 2025
Political Backlash and Local Pushback
The operation triggered political tension between federal and local authorities. Nashville’s Democrat mayor voiced opposition to the ICE raids—prompting a swift rebuke from Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), who defended the federal government’s actions. Ogles accused the mayor of “prioritizing politics over public safety.”
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reiterated the administration’s support for ICE, saying the agency will have the full backing of federal resources moving forward. Meanwhile, local business owners reported a sharp drop in customers in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods following the raids, highlighting the widespread economic fallout.
While some advocacy groups decried the raids as heavy-handed, conservative voices emphasized the importance of removing dangerous individuals from American soil. The temporary closure of Kid Rock’s restaurant, even with its pro-Trump leadership, serves as a reminder that the rule of law applies across the board, and even allies are not immune to the effects of law enforcement.
Sources:
Kid Rock’s Nashville restaurant next target for Trump’s sweeping ICE raids | Daily Mail Online