Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith doubled down on his recent comments about the Westfield High School Band, calling the group’s latest production “demonic filth” and challenging Westfield Mayor Scott Willis to a public debate on the topic.
Beckwith appeared on Fort Wayne’s 92.3 WOWO to address an April 22 Facebook post targeting the Westfield High School indoor percussion ensemble’s spring show. He stood by his description of the program — titled “The Red Line” — as an attack on conservative Christian values and said the backlash against him is exemplary of a statewide attempt to silence conservatives.
“This is demonic,” Beckwith said on air of the band’s show. “We’re going to fight and we’re going to fight hard.”
Beckwith shared a late-March video from the band’s Facebook page that wished the percussion ensemble luck in its next competition. The clip showed members in their red-and-black costumes, dark eye makeup and red body paint.
“This is Westfield High School,” Beckwith, a Republican, wrote in his post on April 22. “I’m starting to get the sense that schools like Westfield LOVE giving the (middle finger emoji) to Christian Conservative families of our community. Parents… use the VOUCHERS and get your kids OUT of our Indiana public schools like Westfield. Their futures and their lives depend on it!”
The post was temporarily removed on Facebook but has since reappeared, though comments are limited. Beckwith maintained on the radio show that he never deleted it.
IndyStar reached a spokesperson for Beckwith’s office, who declined to comment for this article. His office did not respond to questions April 23 about the meaning behind his post, or why it was removed from Beckwith’s Facebook page.
Beckwith told WOWO Morning News host Kayla Blakeslee that Christian students at Westfield brought the show to his attention. The pastor and self-identifying Christian nationalist said he found the aesthetic and subject matter of “The Red Line” — specifically its inclusion of the opera “Carmen,” which depicts adultery — alarming.
“They’re taking your money. They’re warping your kids,” Beckwith said. “They’re pushing demonic filth down their throats, and it’s happening all over the state.”
“The Red Line follows a journey of knowing where boundaries exist, yet feeling an urge to cross them,” Westfield’s description of the show reads. “From the restraint of Bolero to the fire of Carmen Fantasy and Capriccio Espagnol, restraint gives way to passion as precision collides with obsession, leaving us changed forever.”
“Bolero,” “Carmen Fantasy” and “Capriccio Espagnol” are musical pieces. Selections from “Carmen” are popular performances choices for high school ensembles.
Support for the Westfield High School Band has poured in since Beckwith’s comments, with Willis, Westfield Washington Schools and the Indiana Percussion Association issuing statements backing the band program. The band asked supporters to wear green April 24 and share #StandingRockStrong (in reference to the school’s shamrock mascot) in an April 23 Facebook post, which also included a link to donate to the program.
“Our students continue to represent Westfield at a high level, both on and off the field,” Willis’ statement read. “When you hear ‘from Westfield, Indiana’ announced on a national stage, it’s a point of pride for our entire community. These students have put in the work, and it shows.”
Beckwith called Willis’ statement “stupid” on WOWO.
“Your school is warping the minds of the next generation,” Beckwith said. “I want him on record defending this crap because this is tax dollars.”
Beckwith referenced IndyStar reporting that revealed threats against him and Gov. Mike Braun’s failed push for the state to redistrict as attempts to quell Christian voices in Indiana. He quoted scripture and said he would continue to be outspoken.
“As the lieutenant governor of Indiana, I refuse to be silenced,” Beckwith said. “We have to be strong, we have to be courageous and we have to call out this crap that’s getting a foothold in the hearts of our children.”
This isn’t Beckwith’s first conflict with Westfield Washington Schools. In late 2024, he threatened to push to defund Westfield schools after he said he was disinvited to an appearance at an agriculture program at Westfield High School following complaints about his visit. When Beckwith visited Westfield High School in early 2025, some parents stood outside and protested his comments on immigration, LGBTQ people and other “culture war” topics.
Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@indystar.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.
Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19. Click here to get Hamilton County news sent straight to your inbox and subscribe to the IndyStar North newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ‘Demonic filth’: Beckwith doubles down on Westfield High School Band comments
Reporting by Heather Bushman and Jake Allen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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