The White House criticized a new protest song by Bruce Springsteen that condemns federal immigration enforcement, dismissing the musician’s message as irrelevant to the administration’s policy priorities.
Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said the administration remains focused on immigration enforcement and cooperation with state and local officials rather than responding to celebrity commentary.
“The administration is focused on encouraging state and local Democrats to work with federal law enforcement officers to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from their communities,” Jackson said in a statement. “Not random songs with irrelevant opinions and inaccurate information.”
Jackson added that the administration believes media attention should focus on disagreements with Democratic officials over so-called sanctuary policies and cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Springsteen released the song, titled Streets of Minneapolis, over the weekend. He said it was written in response to recent federal immigration operations in Minnesota and dedicated it to what he described as “innocent immigrant neighbors,” as well as to Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two U.S. citizens who were fatally shot during encounters with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month.
“I wrote this song in response to the state of terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis,” Springsteen said in a message accompanying the release. “It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
Federal authorities have defended the actions of agents involved in both shootings. In Pretti’s case, officials said he posed a threat to officers during a confrontation on Jan. 24. Video footage circulating publicly appears to show Pretti holding a phone shortly before he was shot, a detail that has fueled protests and demands for further investigation.
Good was killed earlier in January during an encounter with an ICE officer while in her vehicle. Administration officials have said the officer believed his life was in danger at the time, a claim disputed by protesters and civil rights advocates.
The song’s lyrics sharply criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, portraying federal agents as occupying forces and accusing them of using excessive violence. Springsteen has previously spoken out against President Donald Trump and dedicated performances to victims of immigration enforcement actions.
The release prompted reactions from other public figures, including model and author Christie Brinkley, who shared the song on social media and praised the role of art in confronting injustice and fostering empathy.
Springsteen has not responded directly to the White House’s remarks. The administration has continued to defend its immigration enforcement strategy, while protests against ICE operations have expanded in Minneapolis and other cities nationwide.