The ongoing protests in California regarding ICE deportations and President Donald Trump‘s controversial decision to deploy the National Guard against the explicit wishes of the state’s governor and the mayor of Los Angeles have sparked significant discussion across various communities, including prominent figures in the rock and metal music scenes. The situation has drawn attention not only for its political implications but also for the responses it has elicited from artists and musicians who are vocal about their beliefs.

Since the beginning of Trump’s administration earlier this year, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) has ramped up its enforcement actions through raids targeting various cities throughout the United States. In the past week, ICE has concentrated its efforts on Los Angeles County, which has led to a surge of local protests that have intensified over the weekend. In a bid to quell the unrest, Trump decided to mobilize the National Guard, which he claims is necessary to restore order.

“We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California,” Trump asserted on Truth Social. “If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated.” His comments reflect a firm stance on maintaining law and order amid escalating tensions within the community.

In a direct response to Trump’s actions, California Governor Gavin Newsom took to social media to voice his objections, stating, “I have formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County and return them to my command. We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed.” His statement underscores the conflict between state and federal authority, which is at the heart of this issue.

Musicians Speak Out on the Impact of ICE Raids and National Guard Deployment

Prominent Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong made waves with a widely shared Instagram post, where he commented on the ICE raids and the protests taking place. He included footage of one protest that dramatically featured a burning vehicle amidst the chaos, perfectly encapsulating the unrest of the moment.

Accompanying the video with the Green Day track “Fuck Off,” Armstrong succinctly expressed his feelings on the matter through a simple yet powerful combination of emojis: a middle finger and an ice cube, symbolizing his disdain for the situation and the cold reality of the protests.

Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick utilized his social media platform to highlight perceived hypocrisy regarding the government’s response to protests. He posed a thought-provoking question: “So let me get this straight: Walking the streets in L.A in protest of violent bullsh-t ICE RAIDS is lawlessness requiring deployment of the National Guard? Meanwhile, breaking into the US Capitol building, bludgeoning DC cops, and threatening to murder elected officials is considered perfectly legitimate protest as long as you support the autocracy.” This statement raises critical questions about the definitions of lawfulness and protest in contemporary America.

He further added, “In honor of this, the upcoming military parade and so much more, I now pronounce thee ‘Kim Jong Don,'” drawing a shocking comparison to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, which reflects his strong disapproval of the current administration’s actions.

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Another influential figure, Tom Morello, actively participated in the protests unfolding in Los Angeles over the weekend. He shared numerous photos and videos capturing the essence of the events happening on the streets. Notably, in one video, Morello remarked on the local police’s retreat from their position, acknowledging the sheer size and determination of the crowd that had gathered.

In a separate post, Morello shared a powerful illustration that proclaimed, “In the shadow of fear, Los Angeles rises – protecting its people when the system won’t.” This message resonates deeply with the ongoing struggle for justice and equity in the face of systemic oppression.

God Forbid and Snot guitarist Doc Coyle responded to various comments made by others regarding the protests. In response to a statement by author Ian Bremmer, who noted that the last time a U.S. President deployed the National Guard without the governor’s consent was 60 years ago, during Lyndon Johnson‘s administration in 1965 concerning civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama, the guitarist offered a sarcastic remark: “We’re homaging the 60s. A totally chill decade.” This comment highlights the historical parallels and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Moreover, Coyle also chimed in on a conversation involving White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Libertarian</b presidential candidate Chase Oliver. Miller criticized Oliver for sharing a confrontation between ICE officials and protesters, suggesting instead, “This should be the national mood, keep it up.” In response, Coyle pointedly remarked, “Yeah, I thought libertarians are supposed to be against big government, a police state, and for states’ rights. Stuff a lot of conservatives used to pretend to care about.” His commentary emphasizes the contradictions often present in political discourse.