Bruce Springsteen Slams ICE at New Jersey benefit show: 'ICE should get the f—k out of Minneapolis'

Bruce Springsteen used a surprise appearance at the Light of Day Winterfest benefit concert in Red Bank, New Jersey, to deliver a powerful political message about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, telling the crowd that ICE “should get the f—k out of Minneapolis.”

The 76-year-old music icon paused during his unannounced set at the Count Basie Center for the Arts to address the recent death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Before launching into his classic 1978 song “The Promised Land,” Springsteen spoke directly to the audience about the meaning of the song and the state of the country.

“This next song is probably one of my greatest songs,” he said. “And I don’t want to be out of water tonight, but I wrote this song as an ode to American possibility — both to the beautiful but flawed country that we are, and to the country that we could be.”

Springsteen then pivoted to a critique of federal enforcement tactics and the current political climate, urging those gathered to stand up for democratic values.

“If you believe in democracy, in liberty, if you believe that truth still matters, that it’s worth speaking out, that it’s worth fighting for, if you believe in the power of the law and no one stands above it, if you stand against heavily armed masked federal troops invading American cities and using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens, if you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president,” he said to cheers from the audience. “And as the mayor of that city has said, ‘ICE should get the f— out of Minneapolis.’”

Springsteen dedicated the performance of “The Promised Land” to the memory of Good, whom he described as “a mother of three and American citizen.”

The Light of Day Winterfest is a nonprofit event that raises money to support Parkinson’s disease research and other neurological disorders. Springsteen’s extended set, lasting around 75 minutes, was a highlight of the event and marked his first surprise appearance at this year’s festival.

Springsteen’s remarks come amid widespread national debate over federal law enforcement tactics in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting, as well as broader protests and calls from local leaders for ICE agents to withdraw from the city.

His comments echoed sentiments expressed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who also publicly urged federal agents to leave the city.