Bruce Springsteen Slams Donald Trump Again During Washington, D.C. Concert

Bruce Springsteen delivered another sharp criticism of President Donald Trump during his concert Wednesday night at Nationals Park in Washington, DC, calling a proposed Justice Department fund tied to "weaponization" claims an "American outrage."

Speaking to thousands of fans during the second-to-last stop of his "Land of Hope & Dreams Tour," the rock legend accused the administration of rewarding people connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

"We have a president who wants to create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate and reward people who attacked our nation's Capitol," Springsteen told the crowd. "Attacked our democracy. Assaulted our police officers on Jan. 6. This is an American outrage, and this is happening now."

The audience responded with loud applause as Springsteen urged Americans to speak up. "This American tragedy can only be stopped by the American people," he continued. "There is no one coming to save us. We've got to do it ourselves."

The comments were directed at the Justice Department's recently announced "anti-weaponization fund," a proposed $1.776 billion program intended to help people who believe they were unfairly targeted by law enforcement, Billboard reported.

The plan was introduced as part of a settlement tied to Trump's lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department over the release of his tax returns.

Bruce Springsteen Rallies Fans Against Trump Policies

Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the proposal earlier this month, saying, "The machinery of government should never be weaponized against any American." The administration says the fund would create a process for people seeking relief to apply for compensation.

Critics, including Springsteen, believe many of the applicants could include individuals involved in the Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol. Nearly 1,600 people connected to the attack were pardoned by Trump after returning to office in January 2025.

Springsteen's latest speech is part of a growing pattern during his current tour, which has heavily focused on politics, democracy, and the direction of the country. According to HuffPost, during the Washington concert, he also spoke directly to fans who feel discouraged by the current political climate.

"If you're feeling helpless, if you're feeling hopeless, if you're feeling betrayed, I understand that," Springsteen said. "That's why we needed to come to Washington and feel your strength."

The singer also led parts of the crowd in chants criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement as he continued voicing opposition to Trump's immigration policies.

Trump has repeatedly fired back at Springsteen in recent months. In April, the president posted on Truth Social, calling the music icon a "very boring singer" and encouraging supporters to boycott his concerts.

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Bruce Springsteen, Donald Trump, Concert