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Barbera Thornhill takes up State Department anti-trafficking post
Barbera Thornhill, confirmed by the Senate in August, has joined the State Department as ambassador-at-large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, filling a post left without a confirmed leader since the start of President Trump’s second term.
Barbera Thornhill has joined the State Department as director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, a post that carries the rank of ambassador-at-large. Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes welcomed her on Oct. 13, writing on X: “Ambassador Thornhill, welcome to the team.”
“Human trafficking is a grave human rights issue and a transnational crime exploiting men, women, and children for profit,” Barnes added.
A narrow confirmation
President Trump sent Thornhill’s nomination to the Senate on May 11. She appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 25 and was confirmed on Aug. 7 by a 51-47 vote, according to Congress.gov.
Committee Chairman Bill Hagerty introduced Thornhill as a Los Angeles business executive, civic leader and philanthropist who serves as president of Impact Design. In her testimony, she cited time spent with Mother Teresa and the Sisters of Charity in Kolkata, work alongside Scouts BSA, and service as secretary of the board of the Children’s Institute of Los Angeles.
“Human trafficking is among the most brutal and reprehensible crimes. … I am committed to engaging survivors of human trafficking as partners.” — Barbera Thornhill, Senate testimony
Questions over experience and cuts
The office had been without a Senate-confirmed director since the Biden administration’s Cindy Dyer left. Legis1 has reported that the administration laid off about 70% of the office’s staff, leaving fewer than three dozen employees.
PACT, the U.S. member of the ECPAT network, acknowledged Thornhill’s work for vulnerable children in Los Angeles and India but said she “does not bring significant experience engaging in federal anti-trafficking policy.” Pressed on the staff reductions at her hearing, Thornhill said the “restructuring really has nothing to do with the administration’s commitment to human trafficking.”
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