A Carrollton High School history teacher is facing scrutiny following a profanity-laced tirade during a Bay City Commission meeting on Monday.

“Carrolton, Michigan public school history teacher Matthew Sylvester goes on a vulgar rant during a city commission meeting over a ‘welcoming’ city resolution,” journalist Dave Bondy posted to X Wednesday, along with a video clip of the comments. “He said @elonmusk is an illegal immigrant and says there is genocide in Gaza. School superintendent tells me they are looking into the matter.”

Much of the public comment at the Bay City Commission meeting focused on a “welcoming city” resolution approved by a 5-4 vote in March that banned local law enforcement from being deputized by the federal government for immigration enforcement. The resolution further prevented police from inquiring about immigration status or enforcing immigration law, with an exception for when it’s required by state or federal law, or court order, according to the Midland Daily News.

The resolution was ultimately vetoed by Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard, citing the potential loss of state and federal funds for the unnecessary symbolic gesture, and the commission opted not to attempt to override.

“I understand your very legitimate concerns about losing money …, but I’m talking about a better world for your children and your grandchildren,” Sylester told the commission. “I know you guys have the moral integrity to see what is wrong with this administration, the crimes they’re doing, the fact they’re letting themselves and illegal immigrant Elon Musk destroy the jobs and the livelihoods of your fellow countrymen is disgusting.

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“I know if you guys fight, stand up with your backbone, support this thing, show the people of this city, this state, that you guys are willing to stand up and fight, and as Democratic people, you guys are willing to take action against this,” he continued.

“Kamala tried to run to the right of Trump on certain issues, like immigration, like supporting the genocide in Gaza. If you act, the people will stand by you and support you,” Sylvester said. “If you do nothing, this fascism, this monstrous apathy will devour you.”

Sylvester then turned his ire on state Rep. Timothy Beson, R-Bay City, who he alleged “blackmailed” Girard into vetoing the “welcoming city” resolution.

“Who the f**k is Timmy Beson blackmailing our mayor?” he said, incorrectly calling him “Benson.” “Jesus f**king Christ, who the hell blackmails our city? I don’t know who Timmy Beson is, but I hope he chokes on a bag of dicks and dies.”

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Girard immediately addressed the accusation on social media.

“These claims are entirely false,” Girard wrote in a post to Facebook. “At no time was I blackmailed or pressured into a position. Representative Beson did not coerce me. While he did share concerns that were expressed to him by state leaders about the potential implications of the resolution, those discussions were professional, respectful, and transparent.”


Beson confirmed in a statement to MLive that he discussed potential ramifications of the welcoming city resolution with the mayor, because that’s his job. House Republicans in February vowed to cut off taxpayer-funded pork project for municipalities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants, a fact cited by commissioners who opposed the resolution.

“A big part of my job as a state representative is to communicate things that are happening in Lansing with our local leaders, and that’s exactly what I did here,” Beson told MLive.

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“That is representation at work. I want to make sure everyone across our area is taken care of and that their voices are being heard in the Legislature,” he said. “I’ll continue to work transparently and diligently with the mayor and others across our area to make Bay City and Bay County an even better place to work and raise their family.”

Sylvester did not respond to a request for comment from Bondy, while Carrollton Schools Superintendent Tiffany Peterson declined to elaborate on what, if any, professional repercussions he might face.

“Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention,” Peterson wrote in a statement. “However, we cannot comment about personnel matters. Thank you and have a great day!”