Updated 3m ago · Politics

Trump Says He Approved Livestreamed Fort Hood Execution

The Pentagon will livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan on Dec. 3. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth first described the execution as public.

13 people died in Hasan's 2009 shooting at the Texas Army base.
Oct. 2: President Trump approved the death sentence after Hegseth recommended a firing squad.
1961 was the last time the U.S. military carried out an execution.
Hasan is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair.

Why it matters: No U.S. execution has been public since the 1930s. Experts consulted by Reuters know of no lawful execution ever livestreamed.

Hegseth said people need to see the serious consequences of such crimes.
New Zealand's chief censor said authorities could do little to block residents from watching.

How 61 sources split on this story

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 61 sources

61 sources · 104 articles · 39% Left coverage

Where they split: The dispute is whether a livestream adds transparency and deterrence or creates a spectacle that could aid terrorist recruitment.

Center coverage, 23 sources: The center treats the plan as an unprecedented step, weighing transparency arguments against legal questions and global moves to restrict execution footage.

CTV News4hVance expresses doubts about Pentagon plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution Army Times5hHow the US military plan to livestream an execution compares with global practice Reuters4hVance says he does not know if Pentagon will proceed with livestream of Fort Hood gunman's execution USA Today3hFCC chair doesn't rule out broadcasting execution of Fort Hood shooter Newsweek8hChief US Archbishop slams Hegseth "barbaric" livestreaming of execution NOTUS1hAfternoon Sun: Firing Squad - The Washington Sun Yahoo News5hVance expresses doubts about Pentagon plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution The Hill33mTrump sends mixed signals on livestreaming Hasan execution Associated Press5hVance expresses doubts about Pentagon plan to livestream Ford Hood shooter’s execution Axios5hJD Vance says he won't watch livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter BBC News4hJD Vance casts doubt on firing squad execution and says he will not watch it Deadline6hFCC Chairman Declines To Say Whether Broadcast Outlets Should Be Allowed To Air Live Execution, But It’s Doubtful Networks Would Show It Anyway

Left coverage, 24 sources: The left highlights bipartisan backlash, with Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Chris Murphy and Ned Price warning a livestream echoes groups like ISIS and could inspire terrorism.

CBS News2hWill social media platforms allow Fort Hood shooter's execution to be livestreamed? Here's what their policies say.The Independent3hJD Vance casts doubt on Pete Hegseth’s Fort Hood execution livestream Mediaite57m‘Absolutely!’ Trump Says He Personally Approved Livestreamed Execution Al Jazeera4h‘Barbaric’: US lawmakers condemn plan to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution Political Wire4hVance Won’t Watch Live Stream of Execution The Guardian6h‘Medieval’ and ‘disturbing’: US plan to livestream execution elicits global condemnation The Verge4hBrendan Carr says he’ll let Pete Hegseth decide whether TV networks can air the public execution ABC News5hVance says if live stream of Hasan's execution happens, he's 'not going to be watching'AlterNet1hEvangelicals revolt against Trump's 'culture of death'Boston.com1dPentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed Cleveland.com3hJD Vance uncertain Fort Hood shooter’s execution will be livestreamed CNN4hHegseth wants to livestream a firing squad execution. What we know about the rare move

Right coverage, 14 sources: The right puts the plan in historical context, and some death penalty supporters argue that turning an execution into a spectacle discredits a defensible punishment.

LifeSiteNews7hPentagon says it will livestream firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter - LifeSite Washington Examiner3hWhat to know about Army's plans to livestream Fort Hood shooter's execution Breitbart News4hDem Rep. Garcia: Ending Trump's Presidency 'Begins in November'Daily Mail3hJD Vance casts doubt on Fort Hood firing squad livestream and says he won't watch killing New York Post6hTrump backs public firing squad execution of Fort Hood killer: 'Deserves it'PJ Media7hFort Hood Survivor Wants to Attend Jihadi’s Execution, ‘Look Him in the Eyes’The Epoch Times23hVance Says He Will Not Watch Livestream of Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution The Sun3hJD Vance says he won’t watch Fort Hood terrorist execution over livestream as Trump backs firing squad The Washington Times3hVance won't watch livestreamed execution of Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Hasan Citizen Free Press4hJD Vance offers his thoughts on livestreamed execution of Nidal Hasan.National Post8hU.S. military to livestream firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Reason9hU.S. government: The Army's upcoming execution of Nidal Hasan will be livestreamed

What’s next: Military law experts told the AP that Hasan could file a habeas petition in civilian court. That could significantly delay the execution.

Hasan's trial conduct suggested he sought a death sentence, so he may not appeal.
Which platform will host the livestream, and will any viewing restrictions apply?
Will members of the public be allowed to attend in person?
Will foreign governments or tech platforms try to block the broadcast?