In a wide-ranging media availability Thursday, Governor Mike Braun touched on everything from crime-fighting in Indianapolis to the closure of rural hospitals, immigration policy, and the ever-elusive Epstein file.
When pressed about appointing a special prosecutor for Marion County, Braun acknowledged he lacks the authority to do so without legislative approval but left the door open if local leaders continue to falter. “I want them to solve their own problems,” Braun said. He noted the state’s temporary Fourth of July police support seemed to calm things down, and he praised the uneventful WNBA All-Star Weekend. Still, Braun warned: “We’re not going to just stand by idly and do nothing if things don’t get measurably better.”
Braun also confirmed Indiana is one of five states poised to benefit from the relocation of federal Department of Agriculture offices under the new administration’s decentralization push. “Unless it’s thwarted by folks that think we need more stuff done in D.C.… I think that ought to get broad reception,” he said.
On workplace culture, Braun defended his mandate for state workers to return to the office, noting, “You’re already paying the expenses for the leases and the buildings… it doesn’t make sense” to work remotely unless truly necessary.
Asked about his administration’s efforts to scrub DEI initiatives, Braun said anything framed through “equity” is being replaced with “merit, excellence, and innovation.” He insisted he supports diversity and inclusion but argued equity-based programming “sounds good, but that’s bureaucrats making selections on a political point of view.”
On immigration, Braun reiterated his “worst first” deportation approach using facilities like Camp Atterbury for detaining undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. However, when told that 25% of recent ICE arrests in Indiana involved non-criminals, Braun responded, “If that data is correct, I’d say that should raise eyebrows… because I’ve been clearly on record [about] the worst first.”
Healthcare reform was another focal point. Braun expressed concern over rural hospital closures and the healthcare system’s rising costs. “Hospitals are now up to 50% of the healthcare dollar,” he said, blaming consolidation and insurance-hospital collusion. He hinted at future pressure on large hospital systems to help support care in underserved areas, saying, “Either help me fix the system… or you’re going to be under pressure.”
As for the idea of Medicaid and education being returned to state control, Braun said Indiana could handle it, provided federal resources are restructured to reflect reality. He reaffirmed his support for affordable healthcare and covering pre-existing conditions, citing his own business’s practices before the ACA.
And finally—yes—he supports releasing the Epstein file. “Why wasn’t that done in the prior four years?” Braun asked, noting that transparency shouldn’t be selective or politically convenient. “I think the American public deserves it.”
As for Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith allegedly selling bobbleheads from his office? Braun laughed it off and made clear: “I don’t intend to sell bobbleheads out of my office.”
