Hegseth Proposes Livestreaming Fort Hood Shooter's Dec. 3 Execution

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has proposed livestreaming the firing-squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army major who killed 13 people and injured 32 in the 2009 attack at Fort Hood. Hasan's execution is set for Dec. 3. NPR

President Donald Trump ordered the use of a firing squad to execute Hasan, a former U.S. Army psychiatrist, according to Reuters. Hegseth spoke at the Association of the United States Army 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 14. As of Oct. 15, it was not clear whether the execution will be livestreamed as Hegseth said.

When asked about the proposal, Trump said, "We're looking at it." Vice President JD Vance said he would not watch a livestreamed execution. Vance also cast doubt on Oct. 9 about whether the Pentagon will proceed with the plan.

The proposal drew condemnation from some faith leaders and politicians. Archbishop Timothy Broglio issued a statement opposing the livestreamed execution and instructed any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request an excusal. Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe condemned the Pentagon's plan for a public execution of the Fort Hood gunman, according to Episcopal News Service.

Rep. Huffman released a statement on Hegseth's decision and said Hegseth went out of his way to mention that the Fort Hood shooter is a Muslim.

Hegseth affiliates with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). Religious scholar Julie Ingersoll said Hegseth's church community shows near-unanimous endorsement of the death penalty. NPR reported that for some Christians, Hegseth's plan for a public execution fits a biblical mandate.

It had been 90 years since the U.S. government publicly executed someone, according to WFDD.