Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream the Dec. 3 firing squad execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, the convicted Fort Hood shooter. The decision has drawn criticism from members of both political parties in Congress, who stated that a public broadcast of a military execution is inappropriate for the United States. While many lawmakers expressed support for the death sentence itself, they described the planned livestream as a spectacle that mirrors the tactics of foreign dictatorships and terrorist groups.
Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted for the 2009 mass shooting at a Fort Hood processing center that killed 13 people and injured 32 others. Hasan, who is now paralyzed, stated during his 2013 trial that he carried out the attack in response to U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His execution would be the first carried out by the U.S. military since 1961, and the first public execution in the United States since at least 1936.
Republican lawmakers including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) urged the Pentagon to reconsider the broadcast. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) said that while he supports the death penalty, livestreaming is "what jihadists do." Conversely, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) called the decision "excellent," stating Hasan deserves a public execution. President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that he "absolutely" approved, though it was not entirely clear if he was referring to the execution or the livestream specifically.
For the victims' families and survivors, the move changes the day-to-day finality of the legal process from a private military proceeding into a public event. Lawmakers and retired military officials, including former Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, stated that a public broadcast could impact U.S. international standing and provide propaganda material for extremist groups. Legal experts, such as retired Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, noted that the execution could still be delayed for years if Hasan’s legal team files for habeas corpus relief or other federal court appeals.
The immediate next steps involve the scheduled execution date of Dec. 3, 2026. However, the Pentagon faces calls from senior members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to rescind the broadcast plan. Democrats like Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) have characterized the plan as a mockery of the legal system, while some Republicans have warned it could radicalize new terrorists. The Defense Secretary's office has declined to comment on the specific criticisms from lawmakers.