Smith speaks out against House Bill 1343 as it heads to the governor’s desk

Today, Feb. 27, Indiana House Republicans passed the conference committee report for House Bill 1343, sending the bill to the governor’s desk. HB 1343 includes a provision authorizing the creation of a military police force within the Indiana National Guard. The governor would have the authority to deploy this force any time he or she deems necessary, without the approval of local elected officials. 

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) released the following statement: 

“Once again, I want to warn people about the immense power this bill gives the governor. One person should not have the power to deploy military police in our streets. One man should not have an armed force at his beck and call. Braun and the Indiana GOP are following in the footsteps of President Trump whose used our armed forces for his own personal gain. 

“I support the Indiana National Guard and the essential work they do for our nation. However, I don’t want a single Hoosier to fear our guardsmen. I want them to continue to be beacons of selflessness and protection; That’s why many of them enlisted. They cannot be beacons of protection when they are sent to Americans’ doorsteps to conduct searches and seizures or to make arrests.  

“We live in a democratic nation that our founding fathers fought to free from a tyrannical King. This power goes against the virtues of our nation and the freedoms of all citizens. I am certain our communities don’t want this authority handed to the governor.

“I cannot overstate how dangerous this is, especially as we approach the 2026 election. There is nothing in this bill preventing the deployment of this force at the polls. They could be used to intimidate voters, and local officials would be powerless to stop it. This is something befitting a dictatorship and not a democracy."