The Pentagon on Thursday revealed a surprise plan to livestream the Dec. 3 firing squad execution of the convicted Fort Hood, Texas, shooter, former Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, in what would be the military’s first execution in six decades.
The plan immediately drew fierce blowback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, former Trump administration officials and even the leading Catholic bishop in the U.S., who have called the idea barbaric and below the country’s dignity and standards.
Vice President Vance was the first administration official to hint at some unease with the Pentagon’s decision, telling reporters Friday that he will not be watching the execution should it be livestreamed.
Vance also expressed skepticism that the live stream would even take place, saying, “I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen."
Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), posted to X that while he “absolutely" support's Hasan's death sentence, live-streaming executions "is what jihadists do. America is better than that."
Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), warned that a "civilization erodes when it cultivates an appetite for executions as a form of entertainment," urging Hegseth to reconsider.
And Joe Kent, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center who resigned in March over the Iran war, said streaming Hasan’s execution is “a stain on our morality."
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, opened fire at Fort Hood in 2009, killing 13 people. He has never claimed innocence and is set to be put to death on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. local time at the same military base, according to Hegseth.
Read more at thehill.com.
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