On January 9, legendary musician Neil Young shared a powerful message on his official website. In a new op-ed, he urged Americans to “Wake up, people!” following a tragic and controversial incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota. His words quickly spread online and sparked strong reactions across the country.
Young was responding to the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, who was killed on January 7 during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to reports, Good was sitting in her vehicle when ICE officers were carrying out an enforcement action nearby. She was not the target of the operation. Somehow, she became caught in the middle of it.
An ICE officer fired shots into Good’s vehicle, killing her at the scene. Video footage and witness accounts quickly raised serious questions about what happened. Many people believe the situation did not justify the use of deadly force. The incident caused outrage nationwide, especially after officials released conflicting statements about the events.
The controversy grew even more intense when President Donald Trump commented on the shooting. On social media, he described Good as “very disorderly” and claimed she was “shot in self-defense.” This statement angered many Americans, including civil rights activists, local officials, and members of the public who felt the explanation ignored important facts and lacked compassion.
Neil Young did not hold back in his response.
In his op-ed, Young strongly criticized both ICE and the Trump administration, calling the current state of the United States “the biggest mess I’ve ever witnessed.” He accused Trump of dividing the country and surrounding himself with people who lack experience, honesty, and moral responsibility.
Young wrote that America is being slowly destroyed “bit by bit” and blamed leadership that relies on fear, lies, and power rather than unity and truth. His words were harsh, emotional, and deeply personal — reflecting his long history of speaking out against political injustice.
One of the strongest parts of Young’s post was his warning about the future. He claimed that constant chaos, aggressive policing, and fear-based politics could lead to instability and the loss of democratic rights. He urged people to take Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” seriously — but in a completely different way. Young argued that America cannot be “great” while innocent people continue to die.
Despite his anger, Young ended his message with hope.
He encouraged Americans to rise up peacefully, stressing that change should come through love, unity, and mass action — not violence. “Use your love of life,” he wrote. “Your love of one another. Your love of children — theirs and ours.” His message was clear: compassion and humanity must come first.
This is not the first time Neil Young has spoken out against Trump. In the past, he has openly criticized the former president and even expressed concern that his political views could cause problems when re-entering the U.S. after touring abroad. Still, Young has always made it clear that his criticism comes from love for America, its people, and its culture.
The death of Renee Nicole Good has become a painful symbol for many Americans who feel that law enforcement and government agencies have grown too aggressive and unaccountable. Vigils and protests have been held in her name, and her family remembers her as a loving mother, a creative spirit, and a woman who did not deserve to die.
Neil Young’s message may be uncomfortable for some, but it reflects a growing sense of frustration and fear in the country. Whether people agree with him or not, his words echo a question many are asking right now: