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Pentagon Plans to Livestream Military Execution Draws Bipartisan Backlash
Confirmed
In Short: The decision to livestream the execution has drawn bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle urging the Pentagon to reconsider.
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will livestream the execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the plans, stating that the execution, scheduled for December 3, would be public and transparent.
The decision to livestream the execution has drawn bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle urging the Pentagon to reconsider.
Senators from both parties expressed concern, with some calling the move 'disturbing' and a 'mockery of our legal system.'
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City said his reaction to the news was one of 'shock and great sorrow,' while other religious leaders described the plan as 'a barbaric promotion of a culture of death.'
President Donald Trump, who approved the execution, told a White House event that Hasan 'deserves' the death penalty through firing squad.
However, Vice President Vance, when asked about the plans, said, 'I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen,' attempting to downplay the controversy.
Critics argue that the livestreaming of the execution could set a dangerous precedent and turn capital punishment into a public spectacle.
The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Pvt. John Bennett was executed by firing squad.
Legal experts note that Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.
The livestream would also be the first known live broadcast of a state-sanctioned execution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the livestreaming plans, stating, 'Judgment day for Hasan has finally come.'
What this adds
The Pentagon's decision to livestream the execution has raised legal and ethical concerns, with critics comparing the Trump administration to dictatorships in Iran and Afghanistan.
The livestream would be unprecedented, as no state-sanctioned execution has been broadcast live before.
Background
The Pentagon announced it will livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, sparking bipartisan backlash.
The Pentagon announced it will livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the first military execution since 1961, sparking intense criticism from lawmakers and religious leaders.
What's confirmed
- The Republican vice president said, "I don't know that that's actually going to happen," when asked about the plans that the Pentagon confirmed Thursday.
- The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Pvt.
- "a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered."
- "So whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don't forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people," Vance said.
- "Now, that said, I mean, look, if it's ultimately livestreamed, I'm not going to be watching it," he added.
- But Vance then tried to set aside the controversy over the shocking plans for a public execution and said Hasan's crimes should not be forgotten.
- Hegseth told Real America's Voice the execution would be public "because people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things."
- On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the proceedings would be available for public viewing.
- Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed the livestreaming plans, stating, 'Judgment day for Hasan has finally come.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be public and transparent, adding, 'We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it.' The decision to livestream the execution has raised legal and ethical concerns.
- US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had said that Nidal Hasan would be executed by firing squad and that it would be done "in public."
- The Army announced this week that the execution would take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3 after Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the military base in 2009.
- The U.S. will livestream the Army’s upcoming firing squad execution on Dec. 3 of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in a 2009 shooting spree, a Pentagon official said, in what would be an unprecedented move.
What's still developing
- Gov. Deidre Henderson calling it "disturbing."