PACT Statement on the Nomination of Barbara Thornhill to Lead the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking), the U.S. member of the ECPAT International network, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Barbara Hale Thornhill to serve as Director of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office), with the rank of Ambassador-at-Large. The TIP Office leads the U.S. government’s global efforts to combat human trafficking, including through the production of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, a critical tool for holding foreign governments — and the United States itself — accountable for anti-trafficking efforts. In addition, the TIP Ambassador plays a leading role in coordinating the entire government’s anti-trafficking efforts through the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and its Senior Policy Operating Group.

PACT welcomes the Administration's long-awaited step to nominate an ambassador to lead the TIP Office, a role of global significance in upholding U.S. leadership and commitments to the prevention, protection, and prosecution of trafficking. At the same time, the strength and credibility of this office depend on deep subject-matter expertise and proven leadership at the federal level. While having engaged in meaningful philanthropic and civic engagement on behalf of vulnerable children in Los Angeles and India, Ms. Thornhill does not bring significant experience engaging in federal anti-trafficking policy. The brief confirmation hearing, which took place shortly before the Senate adjourned for the July 4th holiday, did not delve into her experience. 

PACT notes Ms. Thornhill’s response when questioned about the Trump administration’s 2025 cuts to the TIP office, leading to a roughly 70 percent staff reduction. Ms. Thornhill stated that “restructuring really has nothing to do with the administration’s commitment to human trafficking.” The integrity and timeliness of the TIP Report, engagement with other countries about trafficking, and the TIP Office’s global programming in support of its mission, depend on adequate staffing. PACT urges Ms. Thornhill, if confirmed, to make the office’s capacity a clear priority.

PACT applauds Ms. Thornhill’s testimony that she is “committed to engaging survivors of human trafficking as partners,” stating that survivors’ “expertise shapes effective policies and provides insight into how traffickers operate.” Centering survivor voices in the design and execution of anti-trafficking policy is a principle PACT has long championed, including through its Survivors’ Council, and we encourage Ms. Thornhill, if confirmed, to translate this commitment into concrete, sustained engagement with survivor leaders and organizations, including by meeting with the PACT Survivors’ Council.

PACT urges the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to closely examine the nominee’s qualifications and plans for the TIP Office during the remainder of the confirmation process, including through the Questions for the Record process. Should Ms. Thornhill be confirmed, PACT looks forward to engaging constructively with her and her office, as we have with TIP Office leadership across administrations, in service of survivors and the broader fight against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.