Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces bipartisan criticism over plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army major convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. The planned public execution, which could be appealed, is set for December 3, sparking debate over the method and transparency.
Lawmakers from both parties have condemned the proposal, with Rep. Austin Scott and Sen. Thom Tillis calling it 'disgusting' and 'grotesque,' while supporters like Rep. Andy Ogles argue it is 'what this terrorist deserves.' The Pentagon has confirmed the execution will be livestreamed, despite Army regulations that generally prohibit public executions.
Legal experts suggest challenging the livestream is unlikely, with Professor Brenner Fissell noting the regulations were not written to address livestreams. The execution, the first by firing squad in 80 years, highlights tensions between transparency and the rule of law in military justice.
The execution, which could be the first public execution in the U.S. in 90 years, has drawn mixed reactions, with Vice President JD Vance expressing skepticism and concerns over the potential impact on the legal system and public perception.