Not everyone is proud to be an American. While many express dissatisfaction with U.S. politics and policies, few take the drastic step of renouncing their citizenship. However, some expatriates do choose to give up their U.S. status after moving abroad.
Over the years, several well-known individuals have made the decision to leave the country, many of them never returning. One notable example occurred shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, publicly announced his intention to renounce his American citizenship during a London concert.
Armstrong, visibly upset by the court’s ruling, shared his anger with the audience. He condemned the U.S. for its failure to protect women’s reproductive rights and expressed his frustration over the decision. His declaration was a personal protest against a political decision that he believed undermined basic freedoms.
Though renouncing U.S. citizenship is rare, Armstrong’s stance highlights the powerful role that political decisions can play in shaping personal choices and public protests.