The Pentagon’s plan to publicly livestream the execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan is sparking a national debate over how far punishment should go.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring more than 30 others during the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
He is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood, making it the first U.S. military execution since 1961.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon plans to make the execution publicly viewable, saying people should be able to witness the consequences for crimes of this magnitude.
But the decision has drawn criticism from several directions.
Some survivors and family members of victims have said they support holding Hasan accountable but do not believe his execution should become a public spectacle.
Former Army Sgt. Alonzo Lunsford, who was shot seven times during the attack, said he wants Hasan held accountable but does not want the execution turned into something resembling entertainment.
Lawmakers from both parties have also raised concerns, while Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees Catholic military ministries, criticized the planned broadcast and urged Catholic service members assigned to the firing squad to seek exemptions.
Supporters of the livestream argue that the public should be able to witness the consequences of Hasan’s actions.
The debate now goes beyond whether Hasan should be executed and focuses on a different question: Should an execution ever be broadcast for the entire world to watch?