Green Days Super Bowl performance did the unexpected

Green Day performed before the Super Bowl kicked off on Sunday, with lots of folks expecting a political statement from the oft-opinionated rock band. But on America’s biggest stage the band opted not to make an overtly anti-Trump or anti-ICE statement — which came as a bit of a surprise.

To be clear, the band has been known for its outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump and ICE. In recent performances, for instance, singer Billy Joe Armstrong has criticized the “MAGA agenda” during the song “American Idiot.” The band did play the song on Sunday but opted to skip that lyric.

It’s not entirely surprising that Green Day would not make an explicit political statement — the NFL is a relatively careful organization and it might not want the headlines that would follow. It remains to be seen, however, if Bad Bunny will talk politics during the halftime show.