Springsteen Slams ICE, Demands Them Leave Minneapolis as He Honors Fallen Mother
Bruce Springsteen has made a scathing statement against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies, condemning the tactics used by ICE agents in Minneapolis and calling for them to leave the city. The legendary rocker dedicated his 1978 anthem "The Promised Land" to Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in January.
Springsteen's remarks came during a surprise performance at the Light of Day benefit concert in Red Bank, New Jersey, where he urged the crowd to stand against what he described as "Gestapo tactics" used by federal troops against American citizens. He echoed Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's call for ICE agents to leave the city, saying "ICE should get the f*** out of Minneapolis."
The singer's comments represent his most explicit political statement since his European tour with the E Street Band concluded last summer, where he criticized President Donald Trump's administration as "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." Springsteen's remarks have sparked a response from the White House, with Trump calling him a "pushy, obnoxious JERK" who should keep quiet.
The situation in Minneapolis has seen thousands of federal officers deployed to the city this month, prompting daily protests from residents. The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska's 11th Airborne Division to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota if Trump invokes the rarely-used Insurrection Act. However, Governor Tim Walz has emphasized that deploying military units would be "ridiculous" and "completely unconstitutional."
Other performers at the benefit concert also addressed politics, with Low Cut Connie's Adam Weiner urging the crowd to be both tough and compassionate, while Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik made a joke about ICE potentially kicking down his door. Despite the tension in the air, the event was described as convivial, and Springsteen hoped not to disrupt the atmosphere with his remarks.
Springsteen's comments come as tensions between federal authorities and local residents continue to escalate. The American-born citizen of Polish descent drew laughs from the crowd when he made a joke about being kicked out by ICE, highlighting the sense of community and defiance that still exists in Minneapolis.
It remains to be seen how Trump will respond to Springsteen's latest comments, but it is clear that the legendary rocker has not hesitated to speak out against what he sees as injustice.
Bruce Springsteen has made a scathing statement against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies, condemning the tactics used by ICE agents in Minneapolis and calling for them to leave the city. The legendary rocker dedicated his 1978 anthem "The Promised Land" to Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in January.
Springsteen's remarks came during a surprise performance at the Light of Day benefit concert in Red Bank, New Jersey, where he urged the crowd to stand against what he described as "Gestapo tactics" used by federal troops against American citizens. He echoed Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's call for ICE agents to leave the city, saying "ICE should get the f*** out of Minneapolis."
The singer's comments represent his most explicit political statement since his European tour with the E Street Band concluded last summer, where he criticized President Donald Trump's administration as "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." Springsteen's remarks have sparked a response from the White House, with Trump calling him a "pushy, obnoxious JERK" who should keep quiet.
The situation in Minneapolis has seen thousands of federal officers deployed to the city this month, prompting daily protests from residents. The Pentagon has ordered approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska's 11th Airborne Division to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota if Trump invokes the rarely-used Insurrection Act. However, Governor Tim Walz has emphasized that deploying military units would be "ridiculous" and "completely unconstitutional."
Other performers at the benefit concert also addressed politics, with Low Cut Connie's Adam Weiner urging the crowd to be both tough and compassionate, while Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik made a joke about ICE potentially kicking down his door. Despite the tension in the air, the event was described as convivial, and Springsteen hoped not to disrupt the atmosphere with his remarks.
Springsteen's comments come as tensions between federal authorities and local residents continue to escalate. The American-born citizen of Polish descent drew laughs from the crowd when he made a joke about being kicked out by ICE, highlighting the sense of community and defiance that still exists in Minneapolis.
It remains to be seen how Trump will respond to Springsteen's latest comments, but it is clear that the legendary rocker has not hesitated to speak out against what he sees as injustice.
. like, how can you just sit back and do nothing when people are being hurt and detained for just existing? Renee Nicole Good's mom deserved so much better than the system we have now, and bruce is speaking truth to power. even if trump tries to come at him with some nasty remarks 
, springsteen's not going anywhere. he's a legend and a symbol of resistance against oppression. and can we talk about how amazing it is that low cut connie's adam Weiner was giving some real talk about being tough but compassionate? 
just kidding, kinda. bruce springsteen slams ice agents and i'm loving it! who needs a guitar when you can use words right? 
i mean seriously though, when did our leaders become like gestapo in american cities? 1978 was a long time ago, but it looks like some things never change 
. on the bright side, bruce's got his own concert and he's still rocking. that's what we need more of – musicians using their platforms to speak truth to power 
I mean, we've been seeing some crazy stuff go down in Minneapolis with all those federal officers deployed, and still no one's really talking about it on a national level...like, where is the conversation? 
Shouldn't politicians be more vocal about this kinda thing? 
And I love how Goo Goo Dolls frontman Johnny Rzeznik poked fun at ICE in a non-mean-spirited way...that's what we need more of, people laughing together about these serious issues 
. As a Minnesotan myself, I've seen firsthand how the presence of ICE agents in our city can be super intimidating and scary for people from all walks of life. It's not right that they're using "Gestapo tactics" to enforce policies that are basically targeting certain communities 
. And you know what really gets my goat? The fact that Trump is calling out Springsteen like that - it's just more proof that he's got some serious issues with the First Amendment 
. I'm all for free speech, and if Bruce wants to use his platform to speak truth to power, then I'm right behind him 
. I'm so proud of Springsteen for finally saying something about this stuff - it's been a long time coming 
. And can we talk about how epic it was that he just roasted Trump like that? 
. I think it's awesome that he's using his platform to speak out against what he sees as Gestapo tactics used by federal troops against American citizens 
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. At the end of the day, Springsteen is still a talented artist who cares deeply about his community and wants to make a difference 
. Can't complain about that! 
. Let's hope Trump responds with some sense of reason and not just more heat 
. Like, can't we just have an open conversation about this stuff without all the drama? 
. Maybe instead of calling each other names, we could try to find some common ground? 
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. And now her mother has Springsteen writing songs about her, it's like she's still here with us 
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what's gonna happen next? i just hope nobody gets hurt 