US: Trump refuses to broadcast live execution

U.S. President Donald Trump has abandoned plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former U.S. Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. Trump announced the change on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that Hasan would be executed by firing squad as scheduled, but the event would not be broadcast live. The decision came after widespread criticism from across the political spectrum, religious leaders, and international bodies. Hasan, 56, is set to be executed on December 3 at Fort Hood, where he opened fire on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people, including 12 military personnel, and injuring more than 30 others. His attack, inspired by the jihadist group al-Qaeda, was one of the deadliest on a U.S. military base. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously announced plans to livestream the execution, citing deterrence as a key reason. However, the proposal faced intense opposition, leading to Trump reversing course. Trump acknowledged that the livestream could serve as a powerful deterrent for the global community to witness how the United States handles individuals like Hasan, whom he referred to as "terrorists and scum." Yet, he noted that many honest and well-intentioned people would prefer not to watch such an event, whether live or through any other visual medium. Families of the victims will still have the option to attend the execution in person, according to Trump. The initial proposal to livestream the execution sparked significant controversy. It drew sharp criticism from both domestic and international observers. Vice President JD Vance, a Republican, distanced himself from the idea, expressing doubts about its feasibility and stating he would not watch if it proceeded. Religious groups, including Catholic bishops and evangelical leaders, condemned the plan as promoting a "culture of death." Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, urged against the streaming, arguing it would violate principles of dignity and human rights. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that livestreaming the execution would constitute a form of torture, violating the absolute prohibition on torture under international law. The organization emphasized that public executions represent cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment, in violation of the UN Convention Against Torture. Public sentiment largely opposed the plan. A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post, ABC News, and Ipsos found that eight in 10 Americans were against the livestreaming of the execution. Critics argued that exposing the public, especially children, to graphic content could lead to psychological trauma. Experts raised concerns about the potential for post-traumatic stress among minors who might inadvertently view the footage online. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had defended the proposal, emphasizing the importance of making the consequences of terrorism visible to the public. However, the backlash forced him to reconsider. The Pentagon confirmed Trump’s decision to cancel the livestream, aligning with broader public and institutional concerns. Religious authorities also weighed in. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, overseeing the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, questioned the morality of broadcasting the execution, warning that it could cause "moral injury" to service members involved in carrying it out. He encouraged Catholic soldiers assigned to the firing squad to seek exemptions from participating. The decision marks a shift in approach regarding the visibility of capital punishment. While the execution itself will proceed as planned, the absence of a livestream reflects growing sensitivity to the ethical implications of public spectacles involving violence. The event will remain a somber reminder of the tragic incident at Fort Hood, but without the added layer of public exposure that had drawn fierce debate.