Pentagon Plans Livestreamed Firing Squad Execution of Fort Hood Shooter
The Story
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, scheduled for December 3.
President Donald Trump has stated he will ultimately make the decision on whether to proceed with the livestream. Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and wounded 32 in a 2009 attack at Fort Hood. He was found guilty by a military jury in 2013 and sentenced to death. The execution will be carried out by firing squad at Fort Hood.
Hegseth stated the livestream is intended to show serious consequences for these types of things. The plan has drawn criticism from various groups, including Christian leaders, Republican lawmakers, and survivors of the attack. Some express concern that livestreaming the execution could turn Hasan into a martyr for his cause. Alonzo Lunsford, a survivor who was shot seven times by Hasan, plans to attend the execution and wants to lock eyes with the shooter, but is uncomfortable with the public livestream, suggesting it should be restricted to survivors and families of the victims.
The United Nations has called the plan abhorrent, and Amnesty International has described it as barbaric and deeply shocking. The execution is slated to be the first military execution by firing squad since World War II. Some reports indicate that Pentagon officials have expressed internal concerns about the psychological impact on soldiers tasked with carrying out the execution.
The Spread
The coverage 24 sources
- LeftThe Daily BeastPentagon Officials Make Secret Admission on Hegseth’s Livestream Order (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftABC NewsFort Hood survivors speak out on Pentagon's decision to livestream Hasan's execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftNational Catholic ReporterPete Hegseth would like you to watch a public execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftAxiosHegseth's public execution plan meets the age of viral violence (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftMediaiteCBS’s Brennan Grills DHS Boss Markwayne Mullin on Livestreaming Execution: Don’t You Risk ‘Making Him a Martyr?’ (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftThe IndependentFort Hood survivor wants to see mass shooter die — but not Hegseth’s way: ‘Look at my eyes’ (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftLos Angeles TimesCommentary: Public executions are the work of tyrants. Now, the U.S. is joining in (opens the publisher’s site)
- Centeri NewsAmerica’s moral collapse, streamed live (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterRepublica (Nepal)Trump sows doubt on plan to livestream US military execution (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterSouth China Morning PostTrump casts doubt on Pentagon plan to live stream Fort Hood shooter’s execution (opens the publisher’s site)