The American Legion post in Stevensville is responding amid controversy about its hall being used as the venue for an engagement of the Berrien County GOP this Friday.
The party is welcoming some January 6 defendants and two men charged in the kidnapping plot against Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The two January 6ers were convicted but later pardoned by President Donald Trump. The kidnapping plot suspects were acquitted.
The Berrien County GOP booked the American Legion Post 568 hall in Stevensville for the event, prompting many to question why the American Legion was letting it happen.
Now, the Legion has issued a statement, saying at the time of the contract signing, “it was not revealed to the post the nature of the event.” The post says when it learned from an outside source what was planned, “the post attempted to cancel the event but was unable to do so because of contractual obligations and the dollar amount requested by the Berrien County GOP to allow the post out of the contract.”
The American Legion post says it is non-partisan and “has no position on the subject matter being presented at the fundraiser and is not a part of the fundraiser.”
The Berrien County GOP, meanwhile, has said it booked the hall in April and told the post its event would include “January 6 subject matter.” However, it’s not clear just how much detail the party provided the post.
The party says it also told the Legion that “cancellation would represent a breach of contract, entitling the party to compensation.”
The American Legion national organization has a prohibition on endorsing political candidates in its constitution as it strives to remain non-political, except on issues that affect veterans.
You can see the full statement issue by American Legion Post 568 below:
Stevensville American Legion Post 568
“On May 9, 2025, there is a fundraising event taking place at the post Stevensville American Legion for the Berrien County GOP.
The fundraiser is being held by Berrien County GOP, the post involvement in the fundraiser is only the rental of the hall for the event.
The Post has a contract signed by a member of the American Legion family organizations on behalf of the Berrien County GOP and has received rental compensation.
At the time of the rental agreement signing, it was not revealed to the post the nature of the event. Upon learning the nature of the event, from an outside source, the post attempted to cancel the event but was unable to do so because of contractual obligations and the dollar amount requested by the Berrien County GOP to allow the post out of the contract.
The American Legion is a non-partisan organization and has no position on the subject matter being presented at the fundraiser and is not a part of the fundraiser.”
Stevensville American Legion Post 568 Officers
