Green Day Call Out Stephen Miller and Back Minnesota During Fiery California Show

Punk rock veterans Green Day used their recent California concert to make a loud political statement, taking aim at the Trump administration and US Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller while voicing support for people in Minnesota.

The moment unfolded during the band’s show at the Kia Forum last Saturday (January 17), early into their 12-song set. Opening with fan favourite American Idiot, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong once again changed the famous lyric “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not a part of the MAGA agenda,” drawing a direct line to president Donald Trump and his “Make America Great Again” slogan.

From there, the band launched into Holiday and Know Your Enemy, with Armstrong pausing to address the crowd.

“This song is anti-fascism. This song is anti-war,” he said. “We stand up for our brothers and sisters in Minnesota… Ladies and gentlemen, Stephen Miller now has the floor.”

Originally written as a protest against the Iraq War and the George W. Bush administration, Holiday remains one of Green Day’s most overtly political songs. Armstrong’s remarks this time were aimed squarely at Miller, who helped shape Trump’s immigration policies and has promised what he called “the largest deportation operation in American history.” Miller has also publicly backed ICE following a fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minnesota earlier this month and has supported controversial ideas such as the US taking control of Greenland.

Political activism has long been part of Green Day’s identity. During Trump’s presidency, the band repeatedly criticised him on stage, including jabs at the President during festival appearances and outspoken condemnation of ICE raids in Los Angeles. At one headline set, Armstrong warned crowds, “We are slipping into fascism… it’s up to us to fight back,” while also calling out figures such as Elon Musk.

Their opposition to Trump stretches back more than a decade. At the 2016 American Music Awards, Green Day famously led the crowd in a chant of “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA.” In 2023, they even released a limited-edition T-shirt featuring Trump’s mugshot, with proceeds going to charity. More recently, ahead of the latest US presidential election, Armstrong urged fans to vote for Kamala Harris.

Despite the controversy, the band shows no sign of slowing down. Following the California gig, Green Day were announced as performers for the Super Bowl opening ceremony next month, returning to the Bay Area where their journey began.

Once again, Green Day proved that decades into their career, their music — and their message — remains as confrontational and politically charged as ever.