Senator Britt Defends Use of Sex Trafficking Victim’s Account in State of the Union Response

Republican Katie Britt has defended her use of an account from a sex trafficking victim to attack President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address

Despite fact-checkers pointing out inaccuracies in her comparison, Britt defended her actions in a televised interview on Sunday.

In her response, Britt invoked the story of a woman who endured years of sexual abuse in a sex trafficking operation run by drug cartels, beginning when she was just 12 years old. 

The senator used the anecdote to critique Biden’s border policies, despite the case taking place in Mexico years before Biden took office.

The woman referenced in Britt’s speech was identified as Karla Jacinto Romero, who has previously shared her story of abuse publicly. 

However, Romero clarified that the incidents occurred in Mexico from 2004 to 2008, during the presidency of Republican George W. Bush.

When questioned about potentially misleading voters with her claims, Senator Britt denied intending to give the impression that the story occurred under President Biden’s watch. 

Instead, she asserted that her remarks were focused on Biden’s alleged actions to weaken border security and address the purported increase in human trafficking under his administration.

Criticism of Senator Britt’s State of the Union response extended beyond her use of the sex trafficking anecdote. Some Republicans expressed discontent with the unconventional setting of her kitchen table in Montgomery for a speech typically delivered from the Capitol. 

Additionally, Britt faced criticism for her delivery, which was described as “overcoached” by some, including former Trump White House communications adviser Alyssa Farah Griffin.

The criticism culminated in a scathing skit on Saturday Night Live, where Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson mocked Britt’s speech, highlighting the discrepancies in the sex trafficking story. 

Despite the backlash, former President Donald Trump praised Britt’s remarks on migrant crime, labeling them as “powerful and insightful” in a social media post following the rebuttal speech.

Chioma Kalu