Trump Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Plan to Livestream Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plan to publicly livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the ex-Army major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, has ignited fierce bipartisan criticism and condemnation from the United Nations. The proposal, announced this past week, has been called “disgusting” by at least one Republican senator, with critics warning it could inspire further acts of terrorism. President Donald Trump, while supporting the death penalty for Hasan, said on Friday that he has “yet to make a determination” on whether the execution will be livestreamed. “I don’t really care how he goes, as long as he goes,” Trump told reporters.
Lawmakers from both parties are blasting the plan. “I absolutely support the sentence of death, but live-streaming executions is what jihadists do. America is better than that,” said Rep. [Name], reflecting a sentiment echoed across the political spectrum. The backlash extends beyond Capitol Hill. Geoffrey Corn, a Texas Tech University law professor and former Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps member, told CBS News that the plan “raises significant moral questions, above and beyond the questions related to the death penalty generally.” The United Nations has also condemned the move, though specific details of its statement were not immediately available.
The controversy centers on whether publicizing an execution serves justice or instead provides a propaganda tool for extremists. Hasan, who was sentenced to death in 2013, has been a symbol of homegrown terrorism. Critics argue that livestreaming the execution would amplify his notoriety and potentially radicalize others. Supporters of the death penalty, including some who back the sentence itself, draw a clear line at making the act a public spectacle. The Pentagon has not yet responded to requests for comment on the growing opposition.
As the debate intensifies, the White House faces mounting pressure to clarify its position. While Trump has expressed indifference to the method, the decision to livestream ultimately rests with the Pentagon. With bipartisan condemnation and international scrutiny, the plan appears increasingly untenable. The episode underscores broader questions about the role of media in capital punishment and the balance between transparency and security. For now, the fate of
Shimanta Das 
