U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly described combating sex trafficking as a top priority. However, a Reuters investigation has found that federal prosecutions for sex trafficking have dropped sharply during the first half of 2026, raising concerns among former prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates.
According to the report, only 73 people were federally charged with sex trafficking between January and June 2026, the lowest mid-year figure since 2010 and about 22% lower than the average recorded during the previous three years. Cases involving child sexual exploitation and Mann Act violations also declined during the same period.
The decline has been linked to staffing shortages, budget reductions and a shift in Justice Department priorities toward immigration enforcement, which redirected investigators and prosecutors away from trafficking cases. Delays and cuts to grants supporting victim services have also made it harder for authorities to build and prosecute cases, according to the Reuters investigation.
Justice Department officials have maintained that fighting human trafficking remains a priority. However, legal experts and advocacy groups warn that reduced resources and fewer investigations could weaken long-term efforts to combat trafficking and support victims across the United States.
