San Francisco – Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong used the band’s pre-Super Bowl performance on Friday, , to deliver a pointed message to agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), urging them to reconsider their employment. The performance took place at The FanDuel Party Powered by Spotify 2026 at Pier 29, ahead of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
“Quit your shitty ass job,” Armstrong told the crowd, according to multiple reports. “Quit that shitty job you have, because when this is over—and it will be over at some point in time—Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, JD Vance, Donald Trump—they’re gonna drop you like a bad f***ing habit. Come on to this side of the line.” The remarks, widely reported by outlets including The Hill, Billboard, Deadline, and Independent en Español, appear to be directed at ICE agents potentially stationed in the Bay Area for the Super Bowl.
Armstrong’s protest extends beyond a simple call to action. He also altered the lyrics of Green Day’s iconic song “American Idiot” to include the line, “I’m not part of a MAGA agenda,” signaling a clear political stance. Further demonstrating his disapproval, Armstrong referenced the Jeffrey Epstein scandal during the performance, changing the lyrics of “Holiday” to, “the representative from Epstein Island has the floor.” This lyrical shift coincides with the recent release of new Department of Justice documents related to the case.
The band’s activism isn’t a new phenomenon. Green Day has a history of using its platform to address political and social issues, and this latest demonstration underscores their continued commitment to speaking out. The timing of the protest, however, is particularly noteworthy, coming just before the high-profile Super Bowl event and amidst heightened scrutiny of ICE practices.
The NFL’s chief security officer, Cathy L. Lanier, stated on Wednesday that there were “no planned ICE enforcement activities” scheduled for at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This assurance came in response to concerns raised after DHS secretary Kristi Noem warned that ICE would “be all over that place” following the selection of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LX halftime performer. Bad Bunny himself had previously expressed concerns about potential deportation threats against his fans, leading him to avoid including U.S. Dates on his recent world tour.
The situation has also drawn attention from other political figures. Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized both Green Day and Bad Bunny, stating, “I’m anti-them. I think it’s a terrible choice. All it does is sow hatred. Terrible.” This statement, reported by multiple sources, further amplifies the political undercurrent surrounding the Super Bowl festivities.
Adding another layer to the pre-Super Bowl atmosphere, the conservative organization Turning Point USA is hosting an “All-American Halftime Show” as a counter-programming event, featuring artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. This event is explicitly positioned as a protest against the musical acts chosen for the official Super Bowl halftime show.
Green Day is also slated to kick off Super Bowl LX with a pre-game opening ceremony performance of “their most iconic rock anthems,” according to the NFL. This performance will provide another platform for the band to express its views, potentially setting the tone for the event and further fueling the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and political expression in the entertainment industry.
The band’s actions have sparked conversation about the role of artists in political discourse and the potential consequences of aligning with controversial policies. Armstrong’s direct appeal to ICE agents, coupled with his lyrical alterations and broader political commentary, represents a bold statement in a highly visible moment, raising questions about accountability and the future of ICE under a potentially changing political landscape.
