Michael Hudson
@michaelwhudson.bsky.social
Pulitzer-sharing journo + author
current gig: head of investigations @GuardianUS
prior gigs: @ICIJorg (Panama Papers, etc.), Associated Press, Center for Public Integrity, Wall Street Journal, Roanoke (Va.) Times
linktr.ee/michaelwhudson
current gig: head of investigations @GuardianUS
prior gigs: @ICIJorg (Panama Papers, etc.), Associated Press, Center for Public Integrity, Wall Street Journal, Roanoke (Va.) Times
linktr.ee/michaelwhudson
A retired DHS official said human trafficking cases are hard enough to prosecute and diverting agents away from investigating major crimes makes it “easier for exploiters and traffickers to get away with their crimes”. “It’s impunity for traffickers,” he said. 8/
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
A retired DHS official said human trafficking cases are hard enough to prosecute and diverting agents away from investigating major crimes makes it “easier for exploiters and traffickers to get away with their crimes”. “It’s impunity for traffickers,” he said. 8/
The White House statement added that “President Trump has totally secured our border to stop the trafficking of children” and “implemented tough-on-crime policies” that go after human traffickers and “hold these disgusting monsters accountable to the fullest extent of the law”. /7
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The White House statement added that “President Trump has totally secured our border to stop the trafficking of children” and “implemented tough-on-crime policies” that go after human traffickers and “hold these disgusting monsters accountable to the fullest extent of the law”. /7
A Trump spokesperson didn't answer 23 questions submitted to the White House by the Guardian. The spokesperson provided a three-sentence response that called the Guardian’s findings “total nonsense” and accused Joe Biden of “coddling and apologizing for criminals and sexual predators”. /6
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
A Trump spokesperson didn't answer 23 questions submitted to the White House by the Guardian. The spokesperson provided a three-sentence response that called the Guardian’s findings “total nonsense” and accused Joe Biden of “coddling and apologizing for criminals and sexual predators”. /6
At the State Department, the Trump administration slashed more than 70% of the workforce at the agency’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which is responsible for leading anti-trafficking efforts across the US government. /5
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
At the State Department, the Trump administration slashed more than 70% of the workforce at the agency’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, which is responsible for leading anti-trafficking efforts across the US government. /5
At DHS, Trump ordered agents formerly dedicated to investigating and arresting human traffickers to focus on deporting immigrants. Current and former DHS staffers confirmed that investigators’ day-to-day work has been broadly shifted away from investigating “major crimes” with “real victims”. /4
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
At DHS, Trump ordered agents formerly dedicated to investigating and arresting human traffickers to focus on deporting immigrants. Current and former DHS staffers confirmed that investigators’ day-to-day work has been broadly shifted away from investigating “major crimes” with “real victims”. /4
Under Trump, key initiatives for fighting human trafficking have been cut back at the US Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Guardian found. /3
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Under Trump, key initiatives for fighting human trafficking have been cut back at the US Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Guardian found. /3
“It’s been a widespread and multi-pronged attack on survivors that leaves all of us less safe and leaves survivors with few options,” said Jean Bruggeman, executive director of Freedom Network USA, a national coalition of service providers, researchers and trafficking survivors. /2
September 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
“It’s been a widespread and multi-pronged attack on survivors that leaves all of us less safe and leaves survivors with few options,” said Jean Bruggeman, executive director of Freedom Network USA, a national coalition of service providers, researchers and trafficking survivors. /2
The letter follows months of criticism of Fema from Trump and senior administration officials, who have threatened to close it, prompting more than 2,000 staff to depart, leaving it short of institutional expertise in key positions.
August 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The letter follows months of criticism of Fema from Trump and senior administration officials, who have threatened to close it, prompting more than 2,000 staff to depart, leaving it short of institutional expertise in key positions.