Lawmakers criticize Pentagon plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution
In short
The Pentagon has confirmed it plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the man convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, which The Hill reported is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Fort Hood in Texas. Senators Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, Thom Tillis and Mark Kelly and Rep. Adam Smith have spoken against the plan, and Reuters reported that President Trump has been silent on it.
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The Pentagon has confirmed that it plans to livestream the firing squad execution of the man convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, CBS News reported. The Hill reported that the execution of Nidal Hasan is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Fort Hood in Texas, and that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on Thursday that it would be open to the public and livestreamed. "We'll make sure that the people are able to watch it, that it's public, because people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things," Hegseth said, according to The Hill. [ 3 , 4 ]
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, urged the Pentagon on Friday to reverse the decision. "There is no need to livestream any execution, including this one," she said on X. "I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America." She said a broadcast "would give this individual, who deserves no further notoriety, the martyrdom he seeks," adding: "How we carry out justice matters just as much as the justice itself, so I urge the Pentagon to reverse this gruesome decision." [ 3 ]
The Hill described her remarks as adding to mounting bipartisan criticism. Republican Sens. John Curtis of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina also oppose the broadcast; Tillis called the plan "beyond disgusting," while Curtis warned it risks turning capital punishment into entertainment. Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona condemned the move and on Friday called for Hegseth's immediate removal, The Hill reported. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, called the plan "barbaric and gratuitous," according to CBS News. [ 3 , 4 ]
Reuters reported that President Trump has been silent on the Pentagon plan. [ 1 , 2 ]
According to The Hill, Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted in 2013 of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a shooting at the military base four years earlier. He was dismissed from the Army and sentenced to death. During his trial, Hasan reportedly told military mental health workers that he hoped to become a martyr if executed. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The Hill reported that the plan has drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, and Sen. Mark Kelly called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's immediate removal. Murkowski argued a broadcast would give Hasan the martyrdom he seeks.
Key facts
- The Pentagon plans to livestream an execution. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The execution is of the man convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, to be carried out by firing squad. [ 3 , 4 ]
- The Hill reported the execution of Nidal Hasan is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Fort Hood in Texas. [ 3 ]
- Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted in 2013 of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a shooting at the military base, according to The Hill. [ 3 ]
- Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Thom Tillis and Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly oppose the broadcast, The Hill reported. [ 3 ]
- Democratic Rep. Adam Smith called the plan "barbaric and gratuitous". [ 4 ]
- Reuters reported that President Trump has been silent on the plan. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- President Trump's position on the plan. Reuters reported only that Trump has been silent on the plan; the documents give no further detail.
- Whether the Pentagon will reverse the decision. Murkowski urged a reversal, but no document reports a response from the Pentagon.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Reuters reports that Trump is silent on the Pentagon plan to livestream an execution. [ 1 ]
- Reuters publishes the report in Spanish. [ 2 ]
- The Hill reports Sen. Lisa Murkowski's call for the Pentagon to reverse its decision. [ 3 ]
- CBS News reports Rep. Adam Smith calling the plan "barbaric and gratuitous". [ 4 ]