President Trump’s tough stance on illegal immigration hit home in Nashville this weekend as ICE agents carried out a major sweep that shuttered Kid Rock’s popular Broadway restaurant. The crackdown led to nearly 200 arrests—many of them dangerous criminals with prior convictions—as federal agents flooded the city to clean up its streets.
Trump’s ICE Surge Takes Down Violent Criminals
Federal immigration officers arrested 196 illegal aliens across Nashville, with 95 of them having criminal backgrounds, including gang members, drug dealers, and sex offenders. The operation was praised by Trump officials as part of the administration’s mission to “make America safe again.”
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the results: “We took MS-13 members, sex offenders, and violent criminals off the streets of Nashville. That’s a win for every law-abiding citizen.”
Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk Shuts Down Amid Worker Exodus
Caught in the middle was Kid Rock’s Big A Honky Tonk Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse**, a Nashville landmark owned by the outspoken Trump-supporting rocker. The restaurant was forced to close during peak hours Saturday night after workers allegedly fled in anticipation of immigration raids.
BREAKING: Washed-up MAGA rapper Kid Rock gets caught in a massive scandal as his Nashville restaurant temporarily closes to avoid ICE raids targeting his undocumented workers.
The hypocrisy is almost too much to bear…
According to The Guardian, "Kid Rock’s Big Ass Honky Tonk… pic.twitter.com/LmULqg7meH
— Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) May 15, 2025
Local reports say restaurant managers warned staff with questionable legal status to leave, leaving the business unable to operate normally. The restaurant is part of a hospitality empire owned by Steve Smith, a major Trump donor and Nashville businessman.
Democrat Mayor Under Fire for Shielding Illegals
Nashville’s liberal Mayor Freddie O’Connell is facing fierce backlash for allegedly undermining ICE operations. According to GOP leaders, O’Connell ordered city departments to monitor the raids and alert illegals, sparking outrage from Trump allies.
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
Congressman Andy Ogles blasted the move, saying, “This is a disgrace. He’s using city power to protect criminal aliens, not law-abiding Tennesseans.” GOP leaders are now calling for a full investigation into the mayor’s actions.
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
Federal officials confirmed that despite the interference, the operation was a success—with help from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, ICE agents were able to conduct coordinated raids across the city.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to stand with the victims and the ICE agents on the frontlines,” said McLaughlin.
Even as local Democrats cry foul, the people of Nashville are safer tonight thanks to this decisive action. And while businesses like Kid Rock’s took a hit, it’s a price many Americans are willing to pay to get illegal criminals off the streets.
Sources:
Kid Rock’s Nashville restaurant next target for Trump’s sweeping ICE raids | Daily Mail Online