U.S. sex-trafficking prosecutions decline despite administration priorities

Federal sex-trafficking prosecutions in the United States have declined to their slowest pace since 2010, despite the Trump administration labeling the issue a top priority. According to federal court records and interviews with prosecutors, agents, and advocates, the Justice Department charged 73 people through June, a 22% decrease compared to the average of the previous three years.

Several factors are cited for the decline in investigations and prosecutions, including staffing shortages, budget cuts, a shift in focus toward immigration enforcement and deportations, and increased distrust of the government among victims. Related charges have also seen a downturn; Mann Act violations, which target interstate prostitution, dropped by 18% compared to recent averages.

These developments occur as Congress confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General. The decline in federal charges for crimes unrelated to immigration, such as drug trafficking and tax evasion, also fell by 7% through June.