WAGNER WATCH: The Silence that Speaks Volumes

Missourians expect transparency, integrity and protection for the vulnerable. Instead, they’re getting silence from Rep. Ann Wagner that overwhelmingly protects the powerful and elite.

U.S. Representative Ann Wagner built her career on anti-human trafficking legislation and survivor advocacy. As she put it, “We have a moral obligation to stop the devastating consequences of human trafficking where innocent children are dragged into the dark abyss of sex slavery… I am proud to help defend those victimized by human trafficking by protecting our daughters, our sons, our nieces, and our nephews that fall victim to this horrendous crime.”

But when high-profile men and leaders in her party are accused of abuse and other heinous crimes, Wagner’s record tells a different story. She claims to stand with survivors, but her silence says otherwise. 

“I will continue to work in Congress to protect and provide a voice for both the victims and survivors,” Wagner once said. 

Yet, during one of the most high-profile abuse scandals in modern history, Wagner has stayed silent. Senator Josh Hawley and Reps. Mark Alford, Eric Burlison and Bob Onder broke ranks and detached from the president to call for transparency. Hawley even said, “This is the worst one, the worst human trafficking rings in American history run by this scumbag. And I think the more we know about it, the more we get out there, the better it is.”

Wagner says, “we have a responsibility to protect our most vulnerable from this form of modern day slavery,” but when powerful men in her own party faced accusations of abuse, Wagner remained silent. From the president himself to the president’s nominations for cabinet positions, she has consistently refused to speak out, even as survivors step forward. 

Wagner also supported the recently-passed GOP budget bill as well as the $9 billion rescissions package, both of which slash funding from public services and gut safety nets that support survivors and vulnerable families.

Wagner claims to support survivors. But in reality, when accountability threatens the powerful and elite, she remains silent.