Stephen King Criticizes ICE, Comparing It to the Gestapo

Stephen King, the well-known author, expressed strong criticism towards U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on Friday. He took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to make his feelings clear, stating that ICE resembles America’s Gestapo.

For context, the Gestapo was the secret state police of Nazi Germany, established in 1933 to enforce oppressive laws, arrest political dissenters, and conduct actions without due process. King, who has a following of nearly 7 million on X, has been vocal against former President Donald Trump and openly shares his progressive views. His upcoming book seems poised to depict Trump unfavorably and could alienate some of his supporters.

King wasn’t alone in his comparison; musician Bruce Springsteen voiced similar sentiments during a concert in New Jersey. He urged the audience to send a message to the president regarding the use of armed federal troops in American cities. Springsteen described these tactics as reminiscent of the Gestapo and emphasized the importance of democracy and the right to protest.

In a similar vein, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz used the term to refer to ICE during a commencement speech at the University of Minnesota Law School. He stated, “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo is scooping people off the streets.”

The remarks come in the wake of public outrage following the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Protests have erupted, with local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, criticizing ICE’s actions during the incident. Various celebrities have also voiced their opposition to ICE, with notable figures like Mark Ruffalo and Ariana Grande participating in protests. Many wore pins advocating for change, seen even at major events like the Golden Globe Awards.

In response to the incident, the Department of Homeland Security described Good’s actions during the encounter as “an act of domestic terrorism” and claimed that the agent acted in self-defense.