Billie Joe Armstrong: Trump’s ‘Reckless’ Orders ‘Feel Like a Vendetta’

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong criticized Donald Trump and his turbulent first week in office in a note to fans that stressed tolerance. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Sven-Sebastian Sajak/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong criticized Donald Trump and the president’s turbulent first week in office ”“ a week that’s endured a barrage of executive orders, including a discriminatory travel ban on Muslims from seven countries ”“ in an Instagram post.

“I feel like I’m in a state of shock. The executive orders Trump is signing feels like a vendetta,” Armstrong wrote. “Trump is not only taking out his revenge on the people who protested him, but also the average American that just didn’t vote for him.”

Armstrong continued, “These reckless decisions on healthcare, Muslim-Americans, immigration, environmental protection, freedom of speech, freedom of press, women’s right to choose what to do with their bodies, suggesting sending in the feds to Chicago”¦ are signs of a man that is trying to redefine what it is that keeps our common union as Americans.”

The singer encouraged his friends and fans that are Republican to take a look in the mirror and recognize Trump’s motives.

“This is not just his ‘conservative agenda.’ It’s an all out assault on our civil liberties. His intention is to divide us as Americans,” Armstrong wrote. “Maybe we don’t agree on all of these issues, but can’t we see eye to eye on some? I have conservative/republican friends and family. I understand their point of view even if I don’t agree with it. It’s their right. It’s their beliefs. However the progressive side is just as “American” as the other side.”

Green Day previously slammed Trump during their American Music Awards performance and made not-so-subtle accusations about the president’s cozy relationship with hate groups in their recent “Troubled Times” video.

Armstrong asked his fans to respect each other and show compassion to one another regardless of their political leanings.

“I don’t think this president has a grasp on the concept of the American dream… the dream that we come from different backgrounds to come together,” Armstrong wrote. “Please don’t allow this madman to take out his revenge…. on US.”