On January 9th, legendary musician Neil Young shared a powerful and emotional op-ed on his official website. In the post, he urged Americans to “Wake up, people!” after a tragic incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that shocked the nation just days earlier.
The incident happened on January 7th in Minnesota, when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE officer. According to reports, Good was not the intended target of the ICE operation. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up caught in the crossfire. Her death quickly sparked anger, sadness, and protests across the country.
Public outrage grew even stronger after the President addressed the incident on Truth Social, describing Good as “very disorderly” and claiming the shooting was done in “self-defense.” Many Americans felt this response lacked compassion and accountability, especially given that Good was a mother and was not involved in the operation.
Neil Young did not stay silent.
In his op-ed, Young strongly criticized both ICE and the Trump administration, calling the current state of the country “the biggest mess I’ve ever witnessed.” His words were blunt, emotional, and deeply personal. Young described America as a nation in crisis, saying that it is being “destroyed bit by bit” by poor leadership and dishonesty.
Young accused the administration of surrounding itself with unqualified individuals who, in his words, only know how to lie to stay in power. He also claimed the government has divided the country, asking how leaders with “no values, no conscience, and no way to save the USA” were ever elected in the first place.
One of the strongest parts of Young’s message focused on fear and instability. He warned that turning cities into battlegrounds and placing armed forces in the streets only creates chaos. According to Young, this instability is dangerous and threatens democracy itself. He suggested that these tactics are meant to distract people and hold onto power rather than protect citizens.
Young also emphasized peaceful action. While his words were angry, his message was not violent. He encouraged Americans to “rise up peacefully in millions,” stressing that too many innocent lives are being lost. He described the country as “ICE cold,” saying that the presence of ICE and soldiers in the streets was not normal before Trump’s presidency.
Despite the harsh criticism, Young ended his post on a hopeful and human note. He wrote that the President “knows nothing about love,” and reminded readers of the power of compassion. He encouraged people to use their love for life, for each other, and especially for children, to create change.
This is not the first time Neil Young has spoken out against the President. In the past, he even shared fears that his criticism could prevent him from re-entering the United States after touring Europe. Still, he made it clear that his love for America remains strong. He has often said he loves the people, the culture, and the music — even when he strongly disagrees with the government.
Neil Young’s op-ed reflects a larger national conversation about policing, immigration enforcement, leadership, and accountability. Whether people agree with him or not, his message has once again placed him among artists who use their voice to speak out during moments of national pain.
At a time when many feel unheard, Young’s words remind readers that music, art, and truth still matter — and that speaking up can be a form of resistance.