Opinion Letter from the Editor-in-Chief: Micah Beckwith, College Students, and the Importance of Free Speech

By Gabe Whitley

I casted my vote in November for Mike Braun for Governor and Micah Beckwith for Lieutenant Governor with the hope that they would bring fresh leadership to Indiana, focused on limited government and individual liberty. These are values close to my heart—principles I believe are foundational to a free society. But I have to be honest: I’m disappointed in Micah Beckwith’s recent comments and actions toward silencing and attacking college students for their political beliefs.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to work with an organization called Young Americans for Liberty (YAL), and I can say it was one of the best experiences of my life. In YAL, we connected with college students who shared a passion for liberty and freedom, inspired by Ron Paul’s vision for America. These students weren't necessarily conservative or Republican but believed in the essential liberties guaranteed by our Constitution. They championed free speech even when they disagreed with what was being said. That’s what free speech is all about—supporting the right to speak, even when you don’t like the message.

During my time with YAL, we often found ourselves at odds with university administrations, many of which leaned left and sought to suppress our voices. We were trained never to ask a bureaucrat for permission to speak our minds. We believed deeply in our mission, and I’ll always stand by that experience. It's one of the reasons I’m so disappointed in Micah Beckwith’s recent actions.

Micah’s approach toward college students and his desire to restrict their free speech goes against the values I hold dear and the reason I supported his candidacy. As a young voter who prioritizes liberty, freedom, and less government interference, I can’t get behind any attempt to limit speech—even if that speech comes from a viewpoint I don’t share. I might not agree with the left-wing perspective of the *Indiana Daily Student*, but I absolutely support their First Amendment right to share it. Micah’s actions feel un-American and are not what I voted for.

We need to hold our leaders accountable, even when they are members of our own party. I call on Micah Beckwith to remember that being Lieutenant Governor means representing all Hoosiers, not just those who agree with him. Silencing dissenting voices undermines the very principles we fight for as conservatives. Our Constitution guarantees every American the right to speak their mind—whether we like what they say or not. That’s not dictatorship; that’s freedom.

So, Micah, I urge you to lead as a defender of free speech, not a censor.