News2A: Mr. Hudson, thank you for joining us. Earlier this year you announced your candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. What made you want to get involved in politics at this level?
Jared Hudson: I didn’t get into this race to climb a political ladder. As a former Navy SEAL and CEO of a nonprofit Covenant Rescue Group, service has always been my mission. My wife and I prayed about this step, and I believe I can be a force multiplier for good, taking the same spirit of service I’ve lived my whole life and putting it to work for Alabama in the U.S. Senate.
News2A: Let’s get right to it. Where do you stand on the Second Amendment? Are there any restrictions to the Second Amendment that you support, and if so, which ones and why?
JH: I stand firmly with the Second Amendment. Our Founders made it clear: The right of the people to keep and bear arms ‘shall not be infringed.’ That’s not a suggestion, that’s a command. I don’t believe in watering it down with so-called ‘common sense’ restrictions that only end up punishing law-abiding citizens while criminals ignore them.
The Second Amendment is about more than hunting or sport; it’s about protecting ourselves, our families, and our freedom from tyranny. I will never support gun control in any form. Washington has no business telling Alabamians what kind of firearm they can own or how they can protect their homes. I trust responsible citizens more than I trust bureaucrats or politicians. Every tyrant has started their rule by confiscating the citizens’ means to defend themselves, and that can never happen here.
The bottom line: I will always defend the Second Amendment without compromise, and I will never vote for restrictions that infringe on the rights of the people.
News2A: What does the Second Amendment symbolize in your mind? How does it make our country different from every other country?
JH: To me, the Second Amendment symbolizes freedom. It’s not just about firearms; it’s about the God-given right to defend yourself, your family, and ultimately your liberty. Our Founders understood that without the right to bear arms, every other right could be stripped away.
What makes America different from every other country is that we don’t depend on the government for our safety; we have the right and responsibility to defend ourselves. The Second Amendment ensures that power stays with the people, not with politicians or tyrants. That’s the cornerstone of American freedom, and I’ll never compromise on it.
News2A: We’re very grateful for the service and personal sacrifice you’ve offered through the course of your military career and dedication to your country. Another well-known member of Congress also served in the same branch and special operations command, as you also ran on those accolades. Many in the Second Amendment community, and conservatives in general, are very disappointed with his performance. Is credentialism something that voters should be wary of? How much weight should it be given, if any?
JH: Military service is an honor, but it’s not a blank check for trust. I’m proud of my time as a Navy SEAL and how it shaped me, but voters shouldn’t judge a leader by their resume alone. Too many in Washington have proven that credentials without conviction don’t mean much.
What really matters is whether you stay true to your principles when the pressure’s on. For me, that means standing firm on the Constitution, protecting the Second Amendment without compromise, and serving people instead of myself. My background shows I’ve lived a life of service, but it’s my actions and convictions, not just titles, that should earn the trust of the people of Alabama.
News2A: You run two very different and interesting operations, one of which is The Shooting Institute, which provides tactical training for law enforcement and civilians. Do you have concerns about states passing restrictions on civilian or “militia” training as a backdoor effort to chill Second Amendment rights? One example is the 2023 Vermont bill that prohibits “paramilitary training camps”. Is this antithetical to our history and tradition?
JH: Yes. Banning civilian training is just a backdoor attack on the Second Amendment. From the beginning, Americans were expected not only to keep arms but to know how to use them responsibly. The well-regulated militia portion of the Second Amendment covers well-funded and well-trained. So, I believe that the Second Amendment also protects this type of training. Training makes citizens safer and more disciplined; it doesn’t create problems. Efforts to criminalize it are completely against our history and tradition, and I’ll always oppose them.
News2A: To date, 29 states have passed some form of “permitless carry,” including Alabama, where you’re running, which passed such a measure in 2023. What is your response to critics who think that young adults shouldn’t have this right?
JH: The Constitution doesn’t say the right to bear arms begins at 21 – it says it “shall not be infringed.” If you’re old enough to vote, sign a contract, or serve your country in uniform, you’re old enough to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Critics want to treat young adults like second-class citizens, but freedom doesn’t work that way. With rights come responsibilities, and I trust young Alabamians to carry both.
News2A: Where do you see the future of “permitless carry” going? Are we likely to see national reciprocity come out of Congress? Is that something you’d support?
JH: I believe permitless carry is the future, because the Second Amendment is the only permit law-abiding citizens should ever need. We’ve already seen nearly 30 states embrace it, and I expect that number to grow.
As for Congress, yes, I support national reciprocity. If your driver’s license is valid across all 50 states, your constitutional rights should be too. Law-abiding Americans shouldn’t become criminals just because they cross a state line. I’ll fight to make sure the Second Amendment is recognized nationwide, without compromise.
News2A: You are also the founder and CEO of Covenant Rescue Group, a nonprofit focused on combating human trafficking and child exploitation. We’ve seen more and more stories asserting that influential people in business, politics, and entertainment may have connections to this ongoing, global crime on a level that is unimaginable. Can you share your thoughts on that, and how the average person can be attentive to this taking place in their community?
JH: Through Covenant Rescue Group, I’ve seen firsthand that human trafficking and child exploitation aren’t distant problems; they’re here in our communities, and sometimes even tied to people with wealth and influence. This fight is bigger than politics or policy; it’s a fight between good and evil. The average person can make a difference by staying alert, recognizing the signs, speaking up when something feels wrong, and supporting those on the front lines. Evil thrives in the dark, but when we expose it and stand together, we can confront it head-on and crush it.
News2A: As a vocal and faithful Christian, what’s the most important element of your faith that you believe will serve you in office?
JH: The most important thing about me is that I am a believer in the person of Jesus Christ. That’s the only thing about me that’s eternal. I could go out tomorrow and get shot serving a warrant, and when that day comes, I better hope that I’m a Christian. That faith grounds everything I do. It reminds me that life isn’t about power or titles, it’s about service, humility, and doing what’s right. In the Senate, I’ll carry that same mindset: to serve God first, and through that, to serve the people of Alabama with integrity and courage.
News2A: Let’s talk guns really quickly. What’s your preferred EDC, and can you share one piece of advice with our readers on readiness and training?
JH: I carry a Sig 365 macro with Hornady critical duty ammunition, and a Winkler fixed blade, sd2. My advice on readiness is this: owning a firearm isn’t enough. You need to train with it regularly. That means not just putting rounds downrange, but practicing safe handling, drawing from concealment, and building the muscle memory to respond under stress. The Second Amendment protects the right to carry, but it also carries a responsibility to be prepared and disciplined.
News2A: Where can people support your campaign?
JH: The best way to support our campaign is to visit HudsonforAlabama.com. There you can sign up, volunteer, and chip in to help us take this fight to Washington. Every prayer, every share, and every dollar makes a difference as we work to bring true service and accountability back to the U.S. Senate.
