Stephen King ignited a political firestorm after posting a sharply worded message criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, comparing the agency’s conduct to authoritarian policing tactics from history.

The comment, shared on King’s personal social media account, referenced recent immigration enforcement actions carried out by Stephen King, which have drawn scrutiny from civil rights groups and immigration advocates across the country.

In the post, King argued that aggressive raids, militarized appearances, and the treatment of undocumented migrants echoed historical abuses of power, language that immediately sparked intense reaction online. Screenshots of the post circulated widely, amplified by political commentators and major news outlets.

Advocacy organizations have already raised concerns about ICE operations in recent years, pointing to reports documented by civil liberties watchdogs that examine detention conditions, warrantless arrests, and the use of force during immigration enforcement.