Senator JD Vance has publicly questioned the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the upcoming firing‑squad execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, saying he would not watch the event even if it were broadcast.
Background
Hasan, who killed 13 soldiers and wounded 32 at Fort Hood in 2009, is slated to be the first U.S. military member executed by firing squad in more than six decades. The Pentagon announced on 3 December that it intends to carry out the execution and initially indicated it would be livestreamed for the public.
Vance’s comments
During a press briefing, Vance said, "I don't know that that's actually going to happen," referring to the livestream. He added, "If it's through livestream, I'm not going to be watching it." The senator also referenced his Catholic faith when asked whether it affected his stance, but his primary concern was the uncertainty surrounding the broadcast.
Reactions from officials and lawmakers
President Donald Trump affirmed his support for the livestream, stating he "absolutely" approved of the plan while noting the Pentagon was still "making a determination". Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that the execution would be livestreamed, arguing that the public needs to see the consequences of such crimes.
Other lawmakers have voiced opposition:
- Senator John Curtis (R‑UT) warned that public executions can become a "bloody spectacle" that fuels an appetite for violence.
- Senator Chris Murphy (D‑CT) called the idea "disgusting" and likened it to tactics used by extremist groups.
- Representative Austin Scott (R‑GA) supported the death penalty but condemned livestreaming as akin to "what jihadists do".
Legal and ethical considerations
The United Nations human‑rights office warned that livestreaming could breach the absolute prohibition on torture, describing it as "tantamount to a public execution". The US Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed "shock and great sorrow" over the plan.
Social‑media platforms also have policies that prohibit graphic violence, including livestreams of executions. Companies such as Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have rules that would likely block any such broadcast.
Outlook
While the Pentagon has reiterated that the execution will be livestreamed, it has not provided details on how or where the broadcast would occur. The ongoing debate among politicians, religious leaders, and human‑rights groups suggests that the final decision on the livestream could still change before the execution takes place.
