On Friday, famed author Stephen King publicly condemned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), describing the agency as the “American Gestapo” in a statement shared on X. King’s remarks come amid increased national scrutiny of ICE following a fatal shooting involving one of its agents in Minneapolis.
Stephen King’s Comparison of ICE to Nazi Secret Police
Stephen King’s sharp criticism likened ICE to the Gestapo, the notorious secret police force of Nazi Germany created in 1933, infamous for arresting political opponents and enforcing oppressive laws without due process. King, who commands a large following on X with nearly seven million users, has frequently voiced opposition to the Trump administration and expressed progressive views in his public commentary.
Known for classics such as The Shining and Carrie, King did not reply to Fox News Digital’s request for further comment. ICE also declined to provide an immediate statement in response to the criticism.
Wider Artistic and Political Opposition to ICE Actions
King is among several notable figures comparing ICE’s tactics to authoritarian practices. Bruce Springsteen, during a concert in New Jersey, urged ICE to leave Minneapolis, condemning what he described as
“heavily armed masked federal troops invading American cities”
and employing “Gestapo tactics” against citizens.
If you believe in democracy, in liberty, if you believe that truth still matters, that it’s worth speaking out, that it is 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,
Springsteen told the crowd, according to NJArts.net.
Additionally, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a similar comparison during the University of Minnesota Law School graduation ceremony, condemning federal operations that
“scoop folks up off the streets,”
which he labeled as actions taken by “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.”
Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets,
Walz stated publicly.
Protests and Celebrity Responses Following Fatal Minneapolis Shooting
The sharp surge in criticism toward ICE intensified after the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer during an encounter earlier this month in Minneapolis. Authorities say Good swerved her vehicle toward the agent, an event that sparked widespread protests in Minneapolis and across the United States. Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have condemned the officer’s conduct during the incident.
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the officer, labeling Good’s behavior before the shooting as “an act of domestic terrorism” and asserting that the agent acted in self-defense.
The incident prompted a range of public outcries, with celebrities such as Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Natasha Lyonne, and others showing solidarity by wearing pins displaying slogans like Be Good and ICE Out. These pins were also spotted during events such as the Golden Globes, reflecting a broader cultural response.
Context of National Debate on Immigration Enforcement Tactics
Stephen King’s remarks and the ongoing protests are part of a larger conversation about federal immigration enforcement strategies under the Trump administration. King has previously predicted that history would view Donald Trump unfavorably and that many of Trump’s supporters would ultimately distance themselves from him.
Public unease has escalated alongside incidents involving ICE agents and federal law enforcement actions in various American cities, fueling debates about civil liberties, police conduct, and immigrant rights. This tension is mirrored in political responses, including state-level actions such as Governor Walz activating the National Guard after the Minneapolis shooting.
Significance and Forward Outlook
Stephen King slams ICE at a critical moment when national focus intensifies on immigration enforcement and civil rights. His condemnation adds to growing voices from political leaders, artists, and activists questioning ICE’s role and the federal government’s approach to public safety and immigration. The continued protests and public pressure suggest the debate over ICE’s authority and methods will remain a contentious issue in American politics and society in the months ahead.
