Several prominent Republicans have voiced opposition to President Donald Trump’s decision to support the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the plan earlier this week, causing backlash from both political parties. Democrats largely opposed the idea, and Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina labeled the livestream plan as ‘beyond disgusting.’
Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism about whether the execution would actually be livestreamed. He mentioned that he would not watch the event if it occurred. President Trump confirmed that he approved the Pentagon’s decision but had no particular preference about the livestream, stating, ‘Well, they’re making a determination about that, but he will be killed.’
Austin Sarat, a professor at Amherst College, criticized the idea of livestreaming the execution. He remarked that it would make the brutality a ‘spectacle of cruelty’ and argued that it ‘will not educate’ but instead ‘terrorize’ viewers. Newsweek has requested comments from the White House.
‘Live-streaming will not educate,’ Sarat added. ‘It will terrorize and is beneath the dignity that we owe to anyone, even those who commit the kind of horrific crime that Nidal Hasan did.’
This controversy arises amid increased scrutiny of death penalty methods in the United States, particularly following the problematic execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee.
Republican Responses
Several Republicans have openly criticized the plan:
- Senator Thom Tillis: He stated that while Hasan should face the death penalty, making the execution public is inappropriate. He warned that public executions resemble practices in oppressive regimes.
- Senator John Curtis: Curtis argued that livestreaming executions risks encouraging a morbid fascination with them. He referenced historical examples to stress his point.
- Senator John Kennedy: Kennedy mentioned he would avoid publicizing the event, suggesting that it could make society more coarse.
- Representative Austin Scott: Scott supported the death sentence but mentioned that livestreaming it aligns with jihadist practices, something he believes America should avoid.
- Representative Ann Wagner: Wagner asserted that justice must be served without resorting to streaming executions, affirming that such actions are contrary to American values.
- Representative Rob Bresnahan: Bresnahan emphasized that executions should not become public spectacles, as this detracts from justice for victims and families.
- Representative Tom Barrett: Barrett highlighted the betrayal and tragedy of Hasan’s actions but stated that turning the execution into a public event does not align with American values.
- Representative Michael Baumgartner: Baumgartner called for reevaluation of the livestream, despite supporting the execution of Hasan for justice.
- Nikki Haley: Haley compared public executions to those carried out in countries like Iran and North Korea, saying the U.S. should not be grouped with such nations.
Execution Details
The execution of Nidal Hasan is scheduled for December 3 at 1 p.m. Hegseth expressed the importance of making the event public, believing it demonstrates the severe consequences of such actions. Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, carried out attacks at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, resulting in 13 deaths and 32 injuries. The military jury convicted him in 2013, and he has exhausted his appeal options.
Firing squad executions have been rare in the U.S. military, with the last occurring during World War II. The most recent military execution was in 1961, when Army Pvt. John Bennett was hanged.