Rock band Green Day once again injected politics into the national spotlight, this time just days before the Super Bowl, with frontman Billie Joe Armstrong launching a harsh verbal attack against U.S. immigration enforcement and President Donald Trump.
Armstrong made the remarks Friday night during a high-profile pre-Super Bowl party in San Francisco, an event hosted by Spotify and FanDuel near Pier 29. Speaking to the crowd, the longtime punk rocker criticized agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, urging them to leave their jobs and warning they would eventually be abandoned by current administration officials.
According to video and eyewitness accounts, Armstrong claimed that once the Trump administration ends, senior figures including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, White House adviser Stephen Miller, Vice President JD Vance, and President Trump himself would no longer support ICE personnel. The comments were met with applause from some attendees but sparked backlash online from those who say entertainers are unfairly targeting law enforcement.
The remarks came just two days before Green Day is scheduled to perform as part of the Super Bowl pre-game festivities — an appearance that has already drawn attention due to the band’s long history of political activism.
Industry outlet Variety reported that Green Day also altered lyrics during its performance to reflect current political controversies. One change reportedly involved the song “Holiday,” while other lyrics were adjusted to criticize the “MAGA agenda,” a phrase Armstrong has repeatedly used at concerts over the years.
Armstrong also referenced Minneapolis, which has seen renewed protests in recent weeks related to immigration enforcement and public safety incidents. Critics argue that such statements from celebrity performers risk inflaming tensions at a time when immigration and border security remain top concerns for many American voters.
This is far from the first time Armstrong has publicly criticized Trump. During Trump’s first term, the singer openly condemned the administration, and in recent years he has led crowds at overseas concerts in chants attacking the former president. Conservatives have frequently pointed out that Green Day’s messaging contrasts sharply with the everyday concerns of working Americans, including inflation, crime, and border security.
Green Day is set to take the stage ahead of Super Bowl XL on Sunday, while halftime entertainment will feature Bad Bunny, who also recently made headlines for criticizing immigration enforcement during a televised awards show.
As politics increasingly spill into major sporting and entertainment events, critics say many fans are growing tired of seeing America’s biggest stages used for partisan messaging — especially during moments meant to unite the country.