Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has pledged his support to communities in Minnesota amid a wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, using the band’s Los Angeles show to once again voice his opposition to Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.

The singer made the comments during Green Day’s performance at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 17, continuing the band’s long-standing tradition of weaving political protest into their live shows. Armstrong, who has repeatedly criticised the Trump administration over the years, altered the lyrics of the band’s 2004 protest anthem American Idiot, replacing the line “I’m not part of the redneck agenda” with “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda.”

Later in the set, Armstrong addressed the crowd while introducing Holiday, describing the song’s message in explicit terms. “This song is anti-fascist. This song is anti-war. We stand up for our brothers and sisters in Minnesota,” he said, drawing a direct link between the track and the escalating situation in the state.

@commonrevolt Green Day’s California performance featured vocalized support for Minnesota. Billie Joe Armstrong also called out ICE an Stephen Miller during their ALTer Ego set. #greenday #billiejoearmstrong #commonrevolt ♬ original sound - Common Revolt

Minnesota has seen heightened tension in recent weeks following a major surge in federal immigration enforcement. Since the beginning of the year, thousands of ICE agents, alongside personnel from other federal agencies, have reportedly been deployed to the state as part of one of the most extensive immigration operations in US history. Raids have taken place across homes, workplaces and schools, prompting widespread fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities.

The situation escalated further on January 7, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, an American citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. She was reportedly killed at close range while attempting to drive away from the agent, a case that has sparked outrage and intensified scrutiny of enforcement tactics.

Armstrong also used the performance to single out Stephen Miller, Trump’s influential immigration adviser and White House deputy chief of staff. During Holiday, he swapped the lyric “the representative from California has the floor” for “Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Miller now has the floor,” directly calling out the architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies.

Green Day’s outspoken stance is nothing new. The band have been publicly opposing Trump and his administration for nearly a decade, most notably at the 2016 American Music Awards, where they led the crowd in chanting “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist U.S.A.” Their activism has remained a consistent feature of both their music and live performances ever since.

@adoreyoudrada This this this this this. it was completely unrehearsed #blacklivesmatter #2020riots #greenday #Anonymous ♬ original sound - Dradadradadrada

The band are currently preparing for a high-profile appearance next month, having been confirmed to perform during the Super Bowl opening ceremony at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8.

Armstrong’s comments echo similar sentiments expressed by other artists over the weekend, including Billie Eilish, who voiced her concern for communities affected by federal raids while accepting the MLK Jr. Beloved Community Award for Environmental Justice. Together, the statements underline a growing backlash from musicians against the administration’s immigration policies — and a renewed willingness to use major platforms to speak out.

@pinknews Billie Eilish has criticised the Trump administration while accepting the 2026 MLK Jr. Beloved Community Environmental Justice Award. The award ceremony, which was held in Atlanta on January 17, saw Billie recieve the award for her contributions to climate justice. In her acceptance speech, Eillish said: "I’s very strange to be celebrated for working towards environmental justice at a time where it feels less achievable than ever given the state of our country and the world right now." She continued: "We’re seeing our neighbors being kidnapped, peaceful protesters being assaulted and murdered, our civil rights being stripped.""And it’s really hard to celebrate that when we no longer feel safe in our own homes or in our streets" #billieeilish #trumpadministration #iceraids #reneegood #lgbtqia ♬ original sound - PinkNews ️‍️‍⚧️

Green Day To Open 2026 Super Bowl

Green Day are set to open Super Bowl 60 with a headline performance at the game’s opening ceremony on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the NFL has confirmed. The Bay Area punk rock icons will kick off the build-up to American football’s biggest night by performing a medley of their most iconic songs in front of a global TV audience, celebrating six decades of Super Bowl history and honouring past Most Valuable Players (MVPs).

The trio — Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool — hail from the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, making the performance a hometown moment at the heart of Super Bowl festivities. The opening ceremony will feature legends from the sport’s past, with Super Bowl MVPs from previous decades parading on the field ahead of the big game.

In a statement released through the league, Armstrong said: “We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard! We are honoured to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!” His enthusiasm reflects both the band’s deep roots in Northern California and the cultural weight of performing at an event watched by millions around the world.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to air live at 3 p.m. Pacific Time — 11 p.m. in Ireland — on major US networks including NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and Universo, ahead of the Super Bowl 60 kickoff later that evening.

@greendayitaly Billie Joe Armstrong closed Green Day’s show at iHeart ALTer Ego with a clear message against immigration authorities, urging everyone to look out for their neighbors and protect each other. ✊ thanks to lala.lemon.june #greenday #billiejoearmstrong #noice @Green Day ♬ suono originale - Green Day Italy

Green Day’s appearance precedes a stacked lineup of pregame performers. Charlie Puth will sing the US national anthem, while Brandi Carlile is set to perform “America the Beautiful”. Coco Jones will deliver “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, adding further high-profile musical moments before the actual game.

Away from the opening ceremony, attention has also been focused on the Super Bowl halftime show, where Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will take centre stage. His appointment has triggered a wave of discussion online and in the US press, including backlash from conservative commentators over his Spanish-language repertoire and past political commentary. Bad Bunny’s Apple Music-released teaser promises an energetic set where “the world will dance”.

@gqmexico #BadBunny inaugura oficialmente la antesala del Super Bowl LX. El artista latino más reproducido de la última década vuelve a cruzar música, moda y espectáculo en el escenario con mayor audiencia global. ¡No te lo querrás perder! #badbunnypr @Bad Bunny #badbunnyconcert #superbowl #superbowlhalftimeshow ♬ sonido original - GQ México y Latinoamérica

For Green Day, the Super Bowl performance caps a busy period. The band, which rose to international fame in the mid-1990s with albums like Dookie and American Idiot, continues to draw huge crowds on tour and festival appearances. Their work has consistently bridged punk attitude with mainstream appeal, and this Super Bowl spot offers an unprecedented platform to showcase that blend to a diversified global audience.

Analysts say the choice of Green Day signals the NFL’s desire to balance sporting heritage with popular culture. By celebrating MVPs alongside a band whose career spans more than three decades, the league is tying the evolution of the Super Bowl to a broader cultural narrative — one that resonates with fans of both sport and music.

The performance also underscores the Bay Area’s unique place in American entertainment and sports history. Not only will the band perform at a global media event in their home region, but their presence also highlights how the Super Bowl has evolved beyond sport into a cultural spectacle where music acts and major personalities play a central role in the broadcast experience.