Indiana’s Constitution [FN1] lists grounds for impeachment of State officers, [FN2] broader than similar grounds in the U.S. Constitution. [FN3] That IN’s Lt Gov & Christian nationalist Micah Beckwith can be impeached must be viewed in context the office he holds. 1/13

IN’s Constitution creates the office of Lt Gov [FN4] and the Lt Gov’s position as President of the Senate. [FN5] [FN6] The title is ostentatious, but the scope of authority is narrow. The Senate’s rules give perspective on the paucity of authority of the Lt Gov [FN7] in that chamber. 2/13

Of 105 rules, 17 [FN8] mention the Lt Gov, e.g., “Petitions, memorials [] congratulatory and other resolutions, (Rule 42) and “shall preserve order and decorum.” (Rule 10) Mason’s Manual [FN9] says that last part is a duty of a presiding officer. [FN10] By contrast, 3/13

the President Pro Tem is mentioned far more frequently [FN11] in exercises the authority [FN12] befitting a public official elected in his own right as a State Senator, and then to a leadership position by other members of the Senate. [FN13] 4/13

Beckwith has shortcomings of which he’s unaware. Unable to do little more than announce the final vote, he breached the duty that he owed members of the Senate to do them no harm and maintain order. 5/13

The Indiana Senate has rules regarding ethics (Rules regarding ethics in general (Rules 90-100), and against sexual harassment. (Rules 99-105) Lt Gov is mentioned in none of them. As to ethics in general, Beckwith’s sidling up the a man - trump who praises people w/o ethics. 6/13

And as to the sexual harassment rules, in my opinion, Beckwith can give testimony because he’s an expert area. 7/13

Footnotes:
FN1. See, “Possible Articles of Impeachment of IN Lt Gov Micah Beckwith,” Civil Discourse Now, 12/13/25.
FN2. "All State officers shall, for crime, incapacity, or negligence, be liable to be removed from office ...” Ind. Const. Art. VI, Sec 7 8/13.

FN3. “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” U.S. Const. Art. II, sec. 4. 9/13

FN4. “There shall be a Lieutenant Governor, who shall hold his (sic) office during four years.” IN Const. Art V, §2.
FN5. “The Lieutenant Governor shall, by virtue of his office, be President of the Senate...” Ind. Const. Art. V, §21.
FN6. Today we shall consider impeachment only in regard to the Lt Gov’s role as President of the Indiana Senate. 10/13

FN7. Lieutenant Governor is referred to either as “President” or “Chair” in the rules. Standing Rules and Orders of the Senate, as amended 2024.
FN8. Rules 2, 9-14, 17, 27, 36-39, 42, 75, 81 and 87. 11/13

FN9. “ Mason's Manual and Jefferson's Manual shall apply to all points not covered by these rules and, whenever there is a conflict between said Manuals, Mason's Manual shall govern.” Ind. Sen. Rule 8.
FN10. Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure, 2010 ed., p. 406.  12/13

FN11. The President Pro Tem is mentioned in 44 rules: 1-5, 9, 12, 15-18, 21, 23, 24, 27, 32, 42, 43, 45-46, 48-51, 67-68, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 82, 84-89, 95, 98, 99, 102, 103 and 105.
FN12. E.g., appointment of positions important to the Senate (Rule 23); appointment of chairs and members of the standing committees and subcommittees. (Rule 32(a).) 13
FN13. Sen Rodric Bray (GOP), represents District 37.