Analysis: Braun’s New IU Trustee Appointments Draw Attention for Conservative Ties

Staff report


Bloomington, Ind. – June 2, 2025

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s installation of unelected members of Indiana University Board of Trustees is drawing scrutiny — not just for the abrupt removal of three previous sitting trustees, but for the alleged conservative leanings of their replacements.

On Monday, Braun appointed attorney James Bopp Jr., attorney Brian Eagle, and former ESPN broadcaster Sage Steele to the IU Board of Trustees. All three are alumni of the university, and all have documented or apparent ties to conservative or libertarian ideology. Braun also reappointed current board chair W. Quinn Buckner, who was in charge last year when IU President Pamela Whitten brought the Indiana State Police swat team to oppose students protesting in Dunn Meadow.

The move comes after the Indiana General Assembly granted Braun new authority to appoint and remove trustees at will — effectively giving the Republican governor absolute power over the board’s composition.

A Political Shift in a Liberal Stronghold

The appointments mark a sharp ideological pivot for Indiana University, whose flagship campus is located in Bloomington — the most progressive city in the state and a longtime Democratic stronghold. Bloomington is often called a blueberry in a pot of tomato soup.

The new Trump administration last week labeled Monroe County as Indiana’s only so-called “sanctuary jurisdiction” in 2025 for refusing to cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement. Recently, federal agents rounded up undocumented immigrants and struck the community with fear and confusion.

Faculty, students, and alumni have expressed concern that Braun’s actions are part of a broader effort to politicize public higher education and impose ideological conformity on traditionally liberal institutions. There have been 50 complaints against progressive faculty under a new law passed last year that was supposed to guarantee free speech diversity on campus.

Here are the three trustees installed by Braun Monday:

Among the appointees, James Bopp Jr. is perhaps the most prominent and politically active. He is widely recognized as a leading conservative legal strategist, having played a central role in Citizens United v. FEC, the Supreme Court case that dismantled many campaign finance restrictions.

Bopp has also served as general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee and has built a career around litigating on behalf of conservative causes, including abortion restrictions, religious liberty, and free speech.

His views and influence are featured in several public videos:

“James Bopp Jr. discusses Citizens United”

“James Bopp Jr on the best ways to advocate for the unborn – MCFL Virtual Speaker Series”

“The Lawyer Who’s Killing Campaign Finance Reform – Legally Speaking”

“Religious Freedom Explained with James Bopp, Jr. – All About The Grace – Episode #15”

“Testimony of Jim Bopp, General Counsel for National Right to Life”

Brian Eagle, a Carmel-based attorney, maintains a lower public profile. He specializes in wealth strategy, estate planning, and business succession — sectors often associated with fiscally conservative values.

Though he hasn’t taken public political stances, his appointment by Braun and his private-sector legal focus suggest ideological alignment with business-friendly and conservative policy preferences. One of his few recorded appearances is:

“Brian Eagle and his team raise by themselves over $50,000 to end Alzheimer’s”

Bio page

Sage Steele is perhaps best known for her years at ESPN and her outspoken libertarian-leaning views on free speech, identity politics, and COVID-19 mandates. In 2022, Steele sued ESPN, alleging she was retaliated against for comments she made critical of vaccine mandates and political discourse at the network.

She has since become a frequent guest on conservative media outlets and a public critic of what she views as ideological censorship in mainstream journalism and higher education.

Video appearances include:

“Glenn Beck | The Sage Steele Show”

“Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele tells her side of the story”

“Sage Steele on vaccine mandate: ‘Something in me changed at that moment’ | Morning in America”

“Sage Steele roasts Obama for ‘scolding’ Black voters: ‘Stop it!’”

“My opening remarks for PA town hall with JD Vance”

—

It’s yet to be seen how the Indiana University community will respond.

Editor’s Note: This article includes findings from publicly available records and online video interviews. Links were verified as of publication.

The post Analysis: Braun’s New IU Trustee Appointments Draw Attention for Conservative Ties first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.