Stephen King compares ICE to Nazi Germany's Gestapo amid growing celebrity criticism

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Stephen King compares ICE to Nazi Germany's Gestapo amid growing celebrity criticism

The horror author with nearly seven million followers on X compares immigration enforcement to Nazi Germany's secret police

Joshua Q. Nelson Fox News

Published

January 24, 2026 1:28pm EST

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Liberal author Stephen King slammed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday.

"ICE is the American Gestapo," King wrote on X.

The Gestapo was also known as the "Secret State Police" of Nazi Germany, which was formed in 1933. It enforced Nazi law by arresting political opponents and targeted enemies without due process.

King, who has nearly seven million followers on X, has been a frequent critic of the Trump administration and vocal about his progressive politics. The author had previously said that future history books would portray President Donald Trump negatively and that Trump’s supporters would be quick to disassociate from him.

Stephen King, who has nearly 7 million followers on X, has been a frequent critic of the Trump administration and vocal about his progressive politics. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP; Brandon Bell/Pool via REUTERS)

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King, most known for "The Shining" and "Carrie," did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Fox News Digital also reached out to ICE for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

King was not the only artist to compare ICE to the Gestapo. While performing a show in New Jersey, Bruce Springsteen expressed a similar sentiment, calling for ICE to "get the f--- out" of Minneapolis.

"If you believe in democracy, in liberty, if you believe that truth still matters, that it’s worth speaking out, that it is worth fighting for, if you believe in the power of the law and no one stands above it, if you stand against heavily armed masked federal troops invading American cities and using Gestapo tactics against our fellow citizens, if you believe you don’t deserve to be murdered for exercising your American right to protest, then send a message to this president," Springsteen told the crowd, according to NJArts.net.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz compared ICE to the Gestapo as well. "Donald Trump's modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets," Walz said at the University of Minnesota Law School's graduation ceremony. (Reuters/Tim Evans)

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz compared ICE to the Gestapo as well.

"Donald Trump's modern-day Gestapo is scooping folks up off the streets," Walz said at the University of Minnesota Law School's graduation ceremony.

In light of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, several celebrities spoke out against ICE. Stars like Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Natasha Lyonne and others wore pins with slogans that read, "Be Good" and "ICE Out."

The "Be Good" pins were also seen on celebrities at the Golden Globes.

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Good was shot and killed during an encounter with the ICE officer earlier this month, after she allegedly swerved her car toward him. Since then, protests have erupted in Minneapolis and across the U.S. Local officials, such as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have criticized the ICE officer's actions.

Celebrities wore anti-ICE pics at the Golden Globes. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said the agent acted in self-defense, describing Good’s behavior before the shooting as "an act of domestic terrorism."

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Joshua Q. Nelson is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

Joshua focuses on politics, education policy ranging from the local to the federal level, and the parental uprising in education.

Joining Fox News Digital in 2019, he previously graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Political Science and is an alum of the National Journalism Center and the Heritage Foundation's Young Leaders Program.

Story tips can be sent to joshua.nelson@fox.com and Joshua can be followed on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Stephen King compares ICE to Nazi Germany's Gestapo amid growing celebrity criticism