Pentagon’s Plan to Livestream Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution Sparks Bipartisan Backlash

• by Shimanta Das
• October 13, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement that the Pentagon will livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, has ignited fierce bipartisan criticism and condemnation from the United Nations. The plan, revealed Thursday in an interview with a conservative news outlet, would allow the public to watch Hasan’s death on December 3 at 1 p.m. local time at Fort Hood, Texas. Lawmakers from both parties swiftly denounced the move, with one Republican senator calling it “disgusting” and critics warning it could inspire further acts of terrorism.

“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 aisle. 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 also condemned the plan, though specific details of its statement were not immediately available. The backlash underscores deep concerns about the implications of publicizing an execution, particularly one tied to a high-profile act of terrorism.

The execution itself is set to take place at Fort Hood, the site of the 2009 mass shooting that left 13 dead and more than 30 wounded. Hasan, who was sentenced to death in 2013, has been on death row since. The decision to livestream the execution marks an unprecedented move in modern U.S. military justice, where executions are typically carried out with limited public access. Critics argue that broadcasting the event could glorify Hasan’s actions, provide propaganda material for extremist groups, and further traumatize victims’ families. Supporters of the plan, however, may view it as a step toward transparency and accountability in the military justice system.

As the December 3 date approaches, the Pentagon faces mounting pressure to reconsider. The bipartisan pushback highlights a rare moment of unity in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties questioning the wisdom of publicizing an execution. The debate also raises broader questions about the death penalty, media ethics, and the potential for