Apologia Radio Episode 550 Summary

Theme: Human Trafficking & Missing Children w/ Jared Hudson
Host: Jeff Durbin (Jeff the Ninja), with Luke the Bear
Guest: Jared Hudson (Navy SEAL, Law Enforcement Officer, Founder of Covenant Rescue Group, Senate Candidate, AL)
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the realities of human trafficking and missing children in America, featuring Jared Hudson—a Navy SEAL veteran turned law enforcement officer, founder of Covenant Rescue Group (CRG), and current candidate for Alabama state senate. The hosts and Hudson discuss frontline experiences fighting child exploitation, clarify common misconceptions fueled by media and Hollywood, and emphasize the role Christians and the church can play in combating these issues. The conversation also touches on Jared’s motivation for seeking public office and his vision for justice and protection of the vulnerable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jared Hudson’s Background and Calling

• (05:14–06:27) Jared recounts his journey: joining the Navy SEALs at 18, a calling he attributes to God’s providence and faith.
  • "I was just like, well, Lord, I'll go. If I pass all the tests I got to pass and get this contract, I'll know that I'm going in the right direction." — Jared Hudson [05:22]
• Inspirations included movies like Black Hawk Down and Sniper, but SEAL service became his path because it was the “hardest route.”

2. Transition from SEAL to Human Trafficking Work

• (07:38–09:18) Post-military career: Jared became a law enforcement officer and recognized shortcomings in U.S. local agencies’ capacity to tackle child trafficking.
• Founded Covenant Rescue Group (CRG) to train and equip law enforcement to proactively target child exploitation.
  • “We started a nonprofit Covenant Rescue Group that specifically teaches law enforcement agencies... to proactively go after individuals who are buying and selling kids.” — Jared Hudson [07:57]

3. Covenant Rescue Group (CRG) Model & Operations

• (09:18–12:01) Jared explains the need for maintaining law enforcement credentials in addition to civilian skills, allowing seamless partnerships between CRG and law enforcement agencies.
  • Their approach is akin to special operations “combat advising” — training agencies, then co-running live operations to ensure effective practices and successful prosecution.
  • "We empower the closest form of government to the people." — Jared Hudson [33:39]

4. Understanding the Crime: Myths vs. Reality

• (12:16–16:02)
  • Most child exploitation is perpetrated by someone the child knows (93%), not random strangers (7%).
  • Real-world examples demonstrate horrific cases, but often these are closer to home and involve family/friends.
  • Random acts (the 7%)—CRG helps agencies target these for sting operations, with real-time decoys and confidential informants for airtight prosecution.
    • “When you find that individual who is shown up to buy a 14-year-old girl, you find real victims... 30% of the time.” — Jared Hudson [13:09]
• To Catch a Predator-style stings:
  • CRG’s work is similar, but focuses on proactive case development for better prosecution outcomes.

5. The Scope and Nature of Trafficking

• (23:35–29:42)
  • The overall reality is grim but different from Hollywood/Internet conspiracies (e.g., "tunnels in DC," "adrenochrome"). Most children are trafficked due to familial abuse and lack of resources, not vast, secretive rings.
    • “93% of children that are exploited are exploited by a person of trust. That is what... I can impact my community, I can impact my kids.” — Jared Hudson [24:21]
  • Many children at risk are runaways escaping abuse at home—sometimes, their “rescue” means swapping one form of abuse for another.
  • While organized/gang-related trafficking exists—especially among young women—the darkest, ritualistic depictions are rare or unproven in Hudson's real experience. Most organized trafficking is connected to gangs and drugs.

6. How Christians and Churches Can Help

• (29:42–32:09)
  • Churches can assist in:
    • Advocacy: supporting rescue, rehab, and gospel outreach to victims.
    • Combating: partnering with groups like CRG to reach both victims and perpetrators with the gospel.
    • Support post-rescue: many victims require significant care and detox before restoration.
    • "If they don't hear the gospel of Christ, it becomes irrelevant at some point in time." — Jared Hudson [31:01]
  • Even perpetrators, as heinous as their acts, need to encounter the possibility of redemption — CRG sometimes slips gospel tracts in with their belongings.

7. Covenant Rescue Group’s Unique Role

• (32:09–33:11)
  • CRG appears to be unique in its scope and methodology, with very few similar organizations.
  • Over 1,000 arrests in six years (not counting agency arrests after training).
  • 100% prosecution success—a focus on thorough, prosecution-minded operations, not just stings for media attention.
    • “For every individual showing up for a little girl, there are 50 victims that are waiting before they're prosecuted. For every individual showing up for a little boy, there's 150 victims in their wake before they're prosecuted.” — Jared Hudson [34:21]
  • Critique of "predator hunter" amateurs: Vigilante actions can compromise true justice and sometimes target individuals with mental disabilities.

8. Hudson’s Run for Senate and Legislative Priorities

• (16:02–20:26, 35:53–36:34)
  • Hudson’s candidacy stems from sensing a calling to serve as a "force multiplier" for good, likening Senate office to a powerful tool that can be used for justice or evil.
    • "We the people are the kings and queens of this nation, of our states, and we elect representatives who are supposed to... represent us as a lesser magistrate." — Jared Hudson [17:04]
  • His legislative commitments are rooted in:
    • Life (sanctity of life—unborn, the vulnerable)
    • Liberty (defending freedoms)
    • Pursuit of happiness (rooted in moral integrity)
  • Strong support for bills providing “equal protection to children in the womb” [36:11].
    • "I don't know how you could be against it as a Christian." — Jared Hudson [36:18]

9. How to Support & Get Involved

• (36:34–37:59, 37:45–38:28)
  • Alabama residents: Pray, vote (May 19th, 2026 – Republican primary), share Jared’s message, support financially or with platform reach (Hudsonforalabama.com).
  • Nationwide: Support and volunteer at CovenantRescue.org, donate, buy CRG gear (“Crush Evil” hats/shirts), or get involved if you have a relevant background (special ops, law enforcement, advocacy, medical).

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• “If I have the opportunity to do this, if God’s put the opportunity in front of me to do this, and I don’t, what kind of man am I?” — Jared Hudson [17:50]
• "You can't just take what you were doing overseas and bring it back here stateside and use it as a law enforcement officer. So... we were working... within the confines of a law enforcement officer here in the United States, which is really our U.S. constitution, that's what we're looking to uphold." — Jared Hudson [08:44]
• “It’s not that the government’s trafficking them or anything like that, it’s that they don’t have anything to go to, they don’t have anybody. And so, they’re going to wind up being caught up in the wrong thing and being used in that capacity.” — Jared Hudson [26:36]
• "I think the church is the best thing to get involved on advocacy... If they don't hear the gospel of Christ, it becomes irrelevant at some point in time." — Jared Hudson [31:01]
• “100% on prosecutions... for every individual showing up for a little girl, there are 50 victims that are waiting before they’re prosecuted. For every individual showing up for a little boy, there’s 150 victims in their wake before they’re prosecuted.” — Jared Hudson [33:12, 34:21]
• “I don’t know of any [groups]... to my knowledge, we’re the only ones that are doing [what CRG does].” — Jared Hudson [32:18]
• “I don’t know how you could be against [equal protection for children in the womb] as a Christian. No, not at all.” — Jared Hudson [36:18]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction / Jared’s Background: [05:14–07:38]
• CRG and Law Enforcement Model: [07:38–12:01]
• How Trafficking Actually Happens/Case Examples: [12:16–16:02], [23:35–29:42]
• The Reality vs. Media Myths: [23:35–29:42]
• Christian/Church Role: [29:42–32:09]
• CRG’s Impact, Numbers, & Unique Model: [32:09–33:11], [33:11–35:53]
• Running for Senate/Legislative Philosophy: [16:02–20:26], [35:53–36:34]
• How to Support: [36:34–37:59], [37:45–38:28]

Further Information & How to Help

• Jared Hudson’s Campaign: Hudsonforalabama.com
• Covenant Rescue Group: CovenantRescue.org
• Podcast/Show Links: ApologiaStudios.com
• Get Involved: Reach out via CRG for partnership – backgrounds in law enforcement, advocacy, medical especially sought.

Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is serious and sober in both tone and content, laced with moments of hope, camaraderie, and deep faith. The hosts express admiration for Jared’s unflinching honesty, commitment to justice, and gospel-driven activism, emphasizing the uniquely Christian mandate to care for "the least of these"—including both the unborn and trafficked children.

Summary Value

This episode is a candid, clear-eyed overview of the true landscape of trafficking in the U.S., the actionable steps being taken by Jared Hudson and CRG, and an inspiring call for Christians and concerned citizens to step up for justice with both wisdom and the gospel. The reality of trafficking is far more complex, local, and personal than Hollywood narratives, demanding both practical and spiritual responses from the church and from government.

For additional information, partnership, or resources:

• Campaign: hudsonforalabama.com
• Covenant Rescue Group: covenantrescue.org

(End of Summary)