Amy Duggar Slams IBLP Via Instagram Amid Josh Duggar Child Pornography Trial
The Duggar family has had a tough year following the oldest Duggar siblings’ arrest and TLC‘s decision to cancel the long-running hit show Counting On. Now, Josh Duggar is facing federal criminal charges for receiving and possessing child pornography. With the trial looming over the Duggars’ heads, the family is also not doing great, as many of the family members are creating some distance between them and the rest. Cousin Amy Duggar spoke out on her Instagram, praying for justice to prevail and slamming the IBLP (Institute in Basic Life Principles,) a religious organization to which the Duggars belong. Keep reading to learn more.
Josh Duggar’s trial began on Nov. 30
Federal agents arrested the eldest Duggar sibling in April 2021 on suspicion of obtaining child pornography. Josh, 33, has been out on bond since May 2021, and fans have since spent months going over the case, speculating that the father of six would take a plea deal to avoid a publicized trial.
However, the date for the plea came and passed, with several sources reporting that Josh had turned down a deal. The deadline for a plea agreement was set for Oct. 18, with a federal judge giving Josh’s legal team until Oct. 20 to submit an agreement for the judge’s consideration.
On Nov. 30, 2021, the trial against Josh Duggar began — and it continued through that week and into the next. Some disgraced reality star’s family members might stand trial with those set to testify, including Jill Duggar, some close family friends, and his employer.
People Magazine also noted that the prosecution mentioned that the testimonies would include those of multiple instances of alleged child molestation that are said to have happened in prior years. This might also leave the door open to the star facing trial for his 2015 molestation scandal, when the news first broke of his having molested several young girls, including four of his sisters.
If found guilty on all counts, Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison with fines totaling $500,000.
Amy Duggar called out the IBLP amid Josh Duggar’s trial
Amy has never been one to mince her words, and immediately ahead of Josh Duggar’s trial, an Instagram post revealed as much. “Today is a heavy day. This whole week will be. Next week will be too. Until justice is served. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. I will repay thee,” she wrote in an Instagram Story.
Amy went on to urge her fans to “please pray for the victims and for the truth to be revealed. Pray that the judge will give the ultimate sentence.”
On Dec. 3, Amy Duggar again took to Instagram to send a strong message to the IBLP — and to the Duggars, by association.
“Thankful for you and how you taught me it’s OK to express my emotions. I can’t imagine being controlled in every way possible including my honest feelings,” Amy captioned a photo of herself alongside her son and mother, Deanna Duggar. “Being ‘happy’ all the time isn’t attainable. That’s not how life is and you shouldn’t have to force a smile if that’s not how you’re truly feeling. I will teach my son that being authentic is what the Lord asks of us. Love you mom. Always.”
When a user replied with, “Everything you say does not have to be a passive aggressive dig at others,” she didn’t back down. Amy Duggar replied, “I will speak the truth and inform everyone of how IBLP is harmful and destructive.”
Amy Duggar is a rebel of sorts in the Duggar family
The Duggar children had to follow many strict rules growing up, thanks to their fundamentalist Christian faith. In 2016, Amy said that her uncle Jim Bob disapproved of her having alone time with her cousins, as he felt she would influence them with her rebelliousness. Amy further mentioned that she always had to meet up with her cousins at the Duggar house and with supervision.
Amy is Jim Bob’s niece and has appeared periodically on the hit TLC show 19 Kids and Counting. She and Jill (who is now also considered a rebel) seem to have gotten closer since the scandal broke out earlier this year. The two even had a “girl date,” which Amy documented for her followers on Instagram.
Hopefully, Amy Duggar uses her voice to continue speaking out against harmful practices and ideologies — whether or not they’re ones specifically perpetuated by the IBLP.
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.
