Hudson Defends Chattanooga Navy Commander

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) joined his colleagues to send a letter to President Obama and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to strongly urge the Navy not to pursue disciplinary action against Lieutenant Commander Timothy White for having and using a firearm against a terrorist who murdered four unarmed Marines and one unarmed sailor at a recruitment center in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“When I first heard the reports that the Navy would even for a second consider charging Lieutenant Commander White for protecting his fellow service members, my blood boiled. This patriot should be applauded - not shamed and reprimanded for his heroic actions.”

In the letter, Rep. Hudson and his colleagues expressed disapproval of recent reports that Lt. Cmdr. White may receive disciplinary action from the Navy for his use of a firearm in defense of the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Following the terrorist attack, Rep. Hudson has worked to protect Americans in uniform, including joining Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50) to introduce the SEMPER FI Act, a bill to empower eligible service members to protect themselves at military recruitment facilities.