Unfortunately, the number of Josh Duggar’s family associates is not zero, as one might expect given the situation.
In 2021, a jury of his peers convicted disgraced former reality star Josh Duggar of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He is now serving a jail sentence.
Some members of the Duggar family have strongly condemned Josh for being a stalker and even more so. Others are clearly sympathetic to him.
Where do the Duggars stand? Who are his associates in the family?
Anna Duggar, his wife
Unfortunately, it’s not news or a surprise to anyone that Anna Duggar remains Josh Duggar’s staunch ally. The distorted teachings of their fundamentalist church teach them that there is no alternative.
This goes beyond Josh’s cheating, his past crimes, and of course staying married to her despite his CSAM conviction and prison sentence.
Their religion teaches them that they should obey their husbands as part of the natural order of things set by their God. To “betray” Josh would be to “betray” his trust.
Anna has also spun conspiracy theories blaming President Biden (who was not in office when Homeland Security raided Josh’s workplace) among others.
The Duggar family has hinted that Josh’s past scandals were exposed due to spiritual warfare, blaming the literal literal devil for exposing the truth in 2015.
It seems that Anna, at least, still holds on to these beliefs – visiting him as Josh Loyal Wife, while he is in jail where he lives.
jessa duggar
Not all of Josh’s molestation victims have come forward. But, years before Josh was downloading child sexual abuse material, he was himself sexually assaulting five young girls – including four of his own sisters. Jessa came forward to identify herself as one of the victims in 2015.
Initially, after Josh’s arrest, Jessa and husband Ben Seewald gave very vague statements about awaiting the outcome of the trial.
Jessa and Ben’s public statements have emphasized sympathy for abused children leading to the creation of CSAM. She herself has very little to say publicly about Josh. This may have less to do with passion than keeping the peace with other relatives.
Jill Duggar
Unlike Jessa, Jill Duggar has been vocal — about Josh Duggar and more. However, like Jessa, she described herself as one of Josh’s victims. In 2015, she had emphasized that she was sharing it of her own free will.
However, as time passed, Jill admitted that she felt immense pressure to speak out at the time. The insular nature of the Duggars and its TLC-based “celebrity” status means that protecting the family’s image takes priority over Josh’s victims simply covering up his crimes when he was a teen.
In December 2021, Jill confirmed the jury’s verdict that found Josh guilty. While Jill appears to be at odds with various family members, it’s clear that she is not one of Josh Duggar’s family allies.
Jinger Duggar
Shortly after Josh Duggar’s arrest, Jinger and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, denounced child abuse. However, he was not quick to condemn Josh, as he very much deserved it.
However, Jinger is not one of Josh Duggar’s family associates. And not just because he doesn’t agree with his family’s various teachings.
According to his book, becoming truly independentAt the time of the book’s publication Ginger had not spoken to Josh in two years.
jason duggar
Unlike some of his sisters, Jason Duggar has neither avoided the topic of Josh nor posted vaguely about her.
Jason supports the verdict against Josh, even noting that Josh could have received a harsher sentence. However, she also confirmed her love for Josh.
In an Instagram Story post, Jason declared: “I will never stop loving my brother no matter what he does, just as my Savior has forgiven me, so too have I forgiven my brother for his wrongs. Forgiven!” This is a Christian message and similarly their religion also encourages its members to ignore the wrongdoings of the bad people among them.
Joy-Anna Duggar
Along with husband Austin Forsyth, Joy-Anna released a statement following Josh Duggar’s justifiable sentencing.
“We agree with the judicial system’s decision and we are grateful to the men and women who work tirelessly to protect children and help prevent child sexual abuse material,” the Forrests affirmed. “Our hearts are broken for all CSAM victims.”
Additionally, Joy-Anna has called for prayers for Anna and Anna’s children. Joey is not alone in this sentiment.
Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar
With the sole exception of Anna Duggar, no one seemed more supportive of Josh than Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.
This toxic couple has met Josh in jail. It is widely believed that Jim Bob financed Josh’s defense. And, of course, Jim Bob planned to cover up Josh’s early crimes against his sisters – paving the way for him to escape justice when, after all, he committed a crime that his father couldn’t obscure.
Of course, Josh is also a victim. From his religious “counseling” as a teenager to his cover-up of juvenile crimes, Josh grew up in the ideal hunting ground for a budding hunter. Jim Bob didn’t really do anything solid for them.