LT Governor Beckwith’s Townhall Was a Farce
5.24.2025 / News / Julian Franklin
MUNCIE, Ind. — In the Old Town Hill Baptist Church, 3000 S Burlington Dr, the LT Governor Micah Beckwith, and State Senator Scott Alexander (R, District 26) held a townhall with low attendance to answer questions from voters on Wednesday.
Dozens of Delaware County residents showed up to speak with the LT Gov in the calm townhall that took place on Wednesday, and it was in sharp contrast to Victoria Spartz’s (R) event that held just months prior. Ranging from immigration, legalizing cannabis, money in politics, education, and many other issues, voters expressed concern for how both Federal and State laws are increasingly authoritarian. Beckwith did very little to put those fears aside. The Post Democrat was able to ask several questions during the townhall, here are the details:
Q. Do you believe in Due Process or habeas corpus for immigrants living in Indiana who might be detained by ICE?
LT Gov. Beckwith: Are you here legally? No? Then get out. That is due process. They have no constitutional rights, because they are not citizens. If they are not here legally, they do not have due process under the constitution.
[Beckwith then compares illegal Immigrants to Japanese soldiers in World War II that bombed Pearl Harbor, and asked the crowd if the Japanese deserved due process. Some verbally said ‘Yes’ to his surprise].
You would? They have invaded our sovereign land. And you would stop them, put them in the court system…or you could just shoot them and send them home in a box.
Q. Do you believe in the separation of church and State? Where do you draw the line?
Beckwith: The separation of church and state is not found in the constitution…There is not a separation of church and state.
Q. Do you have a comment to people who think that you and many others in the Governor’s cabinet are enriching themselves and your proxies with no bid contracts, appointed positions, and luxury vehicles?
Beckwith: I don’t have a luxury vehicle, and I had a no bid contract with my lawyer. You need somebody that you can trust. And we actually save the state a ton of money, and my office by doing that. That was the Indi Star that reported on that, and if the media is writing about something they are probably lying.
Q. Would you support the legalization of weed? I know many politicians are bought by Eli Lilly and Big Pharma, so they won’t support this.
Beckwith: No, but not because I am bought by Eli Lilly… Medical weed is different, if you and your doctor want to decide, that’s good. But recreationally, I’ve seen what it has done to states like Michigan. It has began to chip away, and erode the fabric.
Both Beckwith and Senator Alexander were asked about their opinions on money in politics, Corporate PAC interests, and the Citizens United decision by SCOTUS. Alexander responded that he didn’t know what Citizens United was. Beckwith responded that he liked the intention of the decision, but that Super PACs were now “able to flood unlimited amounts of money in.”
The event, hosted by the Delaware County Republican Party, was originally announced to be held at the Delaware County Justice Center, however it was changed to Old Town Hill church just eight days before the event. Local political commentator Kristopher Bilbrey reported that there were talks about having the event held at Muncie’s City Hall that never came to fruition, due to Mayor Dan Ridenour turning down the idea, and the plan to hold the event at the Justice Center was then announced prematurely. Local Party Chairman Tim Overton said that the church was chosen because he knew the pastor of the church. After a recent leadership change in the party, with Overton now serving the role of chairman, the local party wants to use their success nationally to bring in members, and echoing culture war issues the party has been known to evoke. One of their recent motto’s read “as the Democrat Party moves further left, we invite you to join the ‘common sense’ Delaware County Republican Party.”