Old Statements by Senator Lankford About Age of Consent Are Talked About

People are talking about old statements made by U.S. Senator James Lankford in 2010. The statements were about whether a 13-year-old could agree to sex. This came up during a lawsuit when he worked at a youth camp. His campaign has not commented.
By Newsroom | Politics, USA |

Recent attention has focused on statements made by U.S. Senator James Lankford during a 2010 deposition. These statements, reported by the Associated Press, relate to his views on a 13-year-old's ability to consent to sexual activity. The context for these remarks involves a lawsuit concerning an alleged sexual encounter between a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old at a youth camp where Lankford previously worked. The controversy has arisen as Senator Lankford faces an upcoming election.

"U.S. Senator James Lankford is in the center of a controversy after the Associated Press released an article."

Background: Lankford's Role at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center

Before entering national politics, Senator Lankford served for over a decade as the director of youth programming at the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. This large campground hosts thousands of young people in grades six through twelve annually. Lankford's time at the camp is often highlighted in his political career, appearing in his official Senate biography.

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  • Lankford was director of youth programming at the Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center for more than 10 years.

  • The center attracts over 50,000 campers yearly.

  • His tenure at the camp is a noted part of his political profile.

Deposition Testimony Details

The controversy stems from a 2010 deposition taken during a lawsuit. In this legal proceeding, the family of a 13-year-old girl sued a 15-year-old boy accused of sexual activity with her at the camp.

Sen. Lankford in 2010 deposition: 13-year-olds can consent to sex - 1

During the deposition, Senator Lankford reportedly stated he had no objections to sending his own daughters to the camp, even when he was not present. He acknowledged that supervision at the camp was not always perfect. When questioned specifically about whether he believed a 13-year-old could consent to sex, Lankford provided a response that has drawn significant scrutiny.

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  • Lankford testified about the camp's supervision, admitting it was not perfect.

  • He stated he would have allowed his daughters to attend the camp unsupervised.

  • Questions arose about his view on a 13-year-old's consent to sexual acts.

Analysis of the Statements

The deposition statements have generated debate regarding their implications for Lankford's stance on child protection and consent laws.

  • Lankford's Deposition: Reports indicate that in the 2010 deposition, when asked about a 13-year-old's consent to sex, Lankford offered an "expansive answer" that has been interpreted as allowing for such consent.

  • Legal Standard: Current legal frameworks in most jurisdictions establish a specific age of consent, which is typically higher than 13, and often includes exceptions for age differences and consent in certain circumstances. The circumstances of the lawsuit itself, involving a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old, highlight the complexities of age-appropriateness in sexual relations.

Timing and Political Context

  • Election Year: The resurfacing of these statements in 2022 and 2024 occurred during periods when Senator Lankford was either campaigning for reelection or involved in significant legislative matters, such as border security discussions.

  • Past Testimony: The deposition testimony was given approximately one week after Lankford was elected to his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Campaign Response

Senator Lankford's campaign spokesperson has declined to comment on the matter.

Conclusion

Statements attributed to Senator James Lankford from a 2010 deposition have become a focal point of public discussion. These remarks pertain to a 13-year-old's capacity to consent to sexual activity, made within the context of a lawsuit and his prior role at a youth camp. The differing interpretations of these statements, alongside their timing with his political career, have fueled public debate. As of the reports, Lankford's campaign has not provided an official response to these claims.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the old statements about?
The statements are from 2010 and are about Senator James Lankford's views on if a 13-year-old can agree to sex.
Q: When were these statements made?
They were made in 2010 during a legal case.
Q: What was the situation?
The statements were made during a lawsuit about an event at a youth camp where Senator Lankford used to work.
Q: Has Senator Lankford's team responded?
No, his campaign team has not given a comment on these old statements.