Missouri Republican Defends Marriage of 12-Year-Olds in Senate Debate

A Republican senator in Missouri is again making headlines for his support of child marriage.

Sen. Mike Moon, who expectedly describes himself as a “believer” who falls under the “freedom-loving” category, made the latest remarks during a debate this week focused on continuing attacks against trans Americans. Democrat Peter Merideth, per a report from regional outlet the Springfield News-Leader, pointed out during the debate that Moon had previously voted against making it illegal for children to be married at the age of 12 if their parents consented to it.

“You said, actually, that should be the law because it’s the parents’ right and it’s the kid’s right to decide what’s best for them, to be raped by an adult. … That was the law. You voted not to change it,” Merideth said, as seen in the clip below.

In response, Moon asked Merideth if he personally knew anyone who had been married when they were 12. Merideth confirmed he does not, saying, “I don’t need to.” But Moon, as he’s done before, asserted that he does.

“I do,” he said. “And guess what? They’re still married.”

Moon has since defended these remarks in a pair of tweets.

“With regard to my answer, I did not discuss the details: a 12-year-old impregnated a minor of similar age,” Moon wrote in one tweet. “With consent of the parents, they married… and are still married today.”

Merideth, meanwhile, has since noted the interconnected absurdity of it all.