Current conditions unavailable
Sexual misconduct scandals are not new in American politics, nor are they partisan.
Since 1974, both parties have faced roughly 20 federal-level sex scandals, and at the state level, the numbers are nearly identical across party lines. Historically, when these scandals emerged, colleagues demanded resignations and party leadership distanced itself from accused members.
The system was imperfect, but it helped maintain basic standards about who was considered fit for public service.
That system seems to be breaking down.
On July 31, President Trump appointed Lawrence Taylor — a registered sex offender — to his Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition while announcing the revival of the Presidential Fitness Test for American schoolchildren. Taylor’s criminal history includes pleading guilty to sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old trafficking victim and being arrested in 2024 for failing to register his address as required for sex offenders.
The Taylor appointment would be shocking enough on its own, but it’s part of a recent pattern that is breaking from historical norms.
Beyond direct appointments, Trump is actively considering clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s convicted accomplice, and he’s “seriously considering” pardoning Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was recently convicted on sex trafficking charges.
Not only is Trump considering pardons for sexual predators, his administration has cut approximately half the staff from the federal anti-trafficking office, eliminated nearly 70 programs that combated child labor and trafficking, and paused grant disbursements to NGOs working on trafficking. On top of that, his administration has successfully blocked a Washington state law requiring Catholic priests to report child abuse in all cases.
Over 77 million people voted for a president who promised to root out child molesters and sex traffickers, but the exact opposite seems to be happening. If you’re a Trump voter, re-read the last three paragraphs, but replace Trump’s name with Biden’s name, and tell me with a straight face you wouldn’t be infuriated.
Our children depend on strong institutional safeguards because many families here don’t have the luxury of private alternatives.
Weakening those safeguards in service of political loyalty is, honestly, a disturbing attack on those who are most vulnerable to these crimes.
Wanting to protect children and women from sexual abuse has nothing to do with politics. We shouldn’t be prioritizing the comfort of powerful men with troubling histories over the safety of our kids. Rejecting those who have perpetrated these crimes should be the bare minimum we expect from our politicians.
I call on all leaders in Lewis County, of all political persuasions, to publicly denounce the appointment of Lawrence Taylor and any future appointments or pardons of sexual predators or human traffickers. Release a statement to the press, write a letter-to-the-editor, or post on your social media that protecting and promoting people convicted of sexual assault or trafficking — especially against children — is unacceptable.
One would hope it’s the easiest denunciation you could ever make.
Zac Eckstein
Ethel
