Earlier today, President Trump signed into law the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA). This bill reduces legal protections of sites that host sexually criminal content. The Internet Association, which is a trade group representing the interests of major online companies like Facebook and Google, endorsed the legislation. While some civil rights organizations thought the bill was too draconian, the law still had broad support.
The law is mainly aimed at websites that enable people to solicit prostitutes – a worthy effort indeed. The Washington Post provides more background on the bill:
The signing comes just days after seven executives for Backpage.com were arrested on a 93-count indictment that alleges the website facilitated prostitution and laundered tens of millions of dollars in profits, and that teenage girls were sold for sex on the site. Some of those girls were killed. The government also shut down Backpage’s classified ad websites around the world and moved to seize houses and bank accounts around the United States.
“FOSTA gives prosecutors the tools they need,” said Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), chief sponsor of the bill, “to ensure that no online business can ever approach the size of Backpage again.”
When Trump signed the bill into law, he was surrounded by victims of sex trafficking and their families. As he signed the bill, if you watch closely, you’ll notice one young woman dancing behind Trump. Take a look:
Make sure you go to the 5:20 mark in the video to see the woman directly behind President Trump in the black blazer dance with joy as the President signs the law into place.
How wonderful!
It’s great President Trump signed this bill into law. There are many civil libertarians who think prostitution – what they call “sex work” – is a victim-less crime. They couldn’t be more wrong. Too often, prostitution leads to other violent crimes. It’s great that Trump is allowing the government to crack down hard on the practice.
Do you support Trump signing the FOSTA into law? Tell us your thoughts below!
