The Pentagon announced plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army major convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, marking the first military execution since 1961. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the decision in a statement, specifying that Hasan will be executed by firing squad on December 3 at 1 p.m. local time—the same hour as the 2009 attack. The proceedings will be broadcast live to the public, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers in both parties.
The announcement follows Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s defense of the livestream on CBS’s Face the Nation Sunday, where he stated, “No one has to watch it if they don’t choose to.” Mullin emphasized that the execution would demonstrate consequences for attacks on Americans, adding, “I give absolutely zero thought to the way that this man dies.” He framed the decision as a demonstration of strength under the Trump administration, which he described as restoring “American values.”
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, also weighed in on the matter, condemning the death penalty as “inadmissible” in a social media post marking World Day Against the Death Penalty. Citing revised Catholic doctrine under his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo argued that “effective systems of detention” can protect citizens without violating human dignity. The U.S. military’s decision to livestream the execution has reignited debates over capital punishment, military justice, and the ethics of public broadcasts of state-sanctioned killings.
Opposition from Lawmakers and Religious Leaders
The Pentagon’s plan has faced bipartisan pushback, with lawmakers and advocacy groups raising concerns about potential glorification of the convicted shooter. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) called the decision “gruesome” and warned that livestreaming could provide Hasan with the notoriety he seeks. “I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America,” she wrote on X. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) similarly condemned the proposal, stating that public executions belong in “oppressive dictatorships,” not the United States.
Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) expressed support for Hasan’s death sentence but opposed broadcasting it, while Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) warned that the livestream could “trigger further radicalization.” Vice President JD Vance also indicated skepticism, telling reporters he would not tune in if the broadcast proceeds.
Historical Context and Military Execution Protocol
Hasan’s execution by firing squad will be the first military execution since 1961, when John A. Bennett was executed for rape and attempted murder. The method was last used in the U.S. in 2010, when Ronnie Lee Gardner was shot by a firing squad in Utah. Military executions are governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which permits capital punishment for crimes including murder, espionage, and treason under specific circumstances.
The Pentagon has not provided detailed justification for the livestream decision, though Mullin and Hegseth have framed it as a matter of transparency and deterrence. Critics argue that the broadcast could violate ethical standards by turning a condemned individual into a spectacle, while supporters contend it serves as a necessary demonstration of justice for victims’ families.
Religious and Ethical Reactions
Pope Leo XIV’s condemnation of the death penalty aligns with the Catholic Church’s 2018 revision to its catechism, which declared capital punishment “inadmissible” in all cases. The shift, led by Pope Francis, marked a departure from the church’s prior stance that permitted executions in extreme circumstances. Leo’s statement echoed this position, emphasizing that “the common good can be safeguarded” without recourse to capital punishment.
The decision has also sparked discussions among legal scholars and human rights advocates about the appropriateness of publicizing state-sanctioned killings. Proponents of the livestream argue it holds the military accountable, while opponents warn it risks sensationalizing violence and undermining the solemnity of the justice system.
Next Steps and Public Reaction
The Pentagon has not indicated whether additional safeguards will be implemented to mitigate potential backlash from the livestream. The execution is scheduled to take place at Fort Hood, Texas, where Hasan carried out the 2009 attack. The broadcast will be accessible to the general public, though the Pentagon has not specified whether it will be available on all platforms or restricted to certain channels.
Public reaction remains divided, with some praising the decision as a step toward transparency and others decrying it as a violation of ethical norms. The controversy underscores broader national debates over the death penalty, military justice, and the role of the state in administering punishment.