US Vice-President JD Vance cast doubt on the Pentagon’s announcement to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood. When speaking with reporters, Vance indicated uncertainty about whether the execution would occur as planned and stated that he would not view a livestream if it proceeded. He characterized Hasan’s actions as among the most serious attacks on American soil.
Hasan fatally shot 13 unarmed soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009 and injured 32 others. The Pentagon’s announcement earlier in the week outlined plans for his execution by firing squad, marking the first military execution in more than six decades and the first of its kind since World War Two concluded. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that the execution would be livestreamed to the public, asserting that “people need to understand that there’s serious consequences for these types of things.”
The livestream announcement has generated opposition from multiple quarters. Republican Senator John Curtis raised historical concerns about public executions, comparing them to spectacles in ancient Rome that he argued corrupted societies by cultivating entertainment-focused attitudes toward executions. Curtis urged Hegseth to reconsider the plan, noting that victims deserve justice administered solemnly rather than broadcast to audiences. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy described the proposal as “disgusting” and drew comparisons to executions conducted by the Islamic State group.
Other entities have also opposed the livestream plan. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops released a statement expressing “shock and great sorrow” at the decision. The UN human rights office indicated to media outlets that livestreaming the execution would constitute a public execution and would contravene international prohibitions against torture.
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