Republican lawmakers urge reconsideration, calling it something 'terrorists or dictators' would do

Billions, including children, could be exposed to footage of public execution

Nidal Hasan, a Muslim soldier sentenced to death for the Fort Hood mass shooting. [Reuters]
Nidal Hasan, a Muslim soldier sentenced to death for the Fort Hood mass shooting. [Reuters]

As controversy grows over the US Department of Defense's plan to broadcast the execution of a Fort Hood mass shooter live, US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the move Sunday (local time).

In a CBS interview that day, Mullin shrugged off concerns that a live-streamed firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan — a Muslim soldier sentenced to death for the Fort Hood shooting — could embolden extremists or turn Hasan into a martyr.

"I don't think at this point it's going to increase the danger," he said, adding that "the public needs to understand that if you attack America, you will face the appropriate consequences."

Mullin also said "nobody has to watch" the live broadcast, and argued that "President Donald Trump is doing a great job and is restoring American values."

Debate over whether it is appropriate to broadcast Hasan's execution live has been spreading across the United States. Growing concerns hold that going ahead with the live stream could inflame Islamic extremists, help them recruit and ultimately provoke attacks on the American homeland or its citizens.

Calls for reconsideration have come even from within the Republican Party. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, criticized the plan, saying "there's no reason for any execution, including this one, to be broadcast live" and that it is "something terrorists or dictators would do — not something that should happen in America."

Sen. Kevin Cramer, Republican of North Dakota, also said a live-streamed execution could fuel the spread of radicalization.

No format for the live broadcast has been finalized, but concerns have been raised that regardless of how it is carried out, footage could spread online and expose billions of viewers — including children — without any safeguard.

Donald Trump has said he will make the final call on whether to broadcast the execution live. While he has said a firing squad execution of Hasan is appropriate, he has stopped short of stating clearly whether he supports a live broadcast.

Analysts note that even if the intent is to project an image of firm law enforcement and rally conservative support, the uncontrolled spread of execution footage could trigger a backlash that would be difficult to contain.

Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas in November 2009 while serving as a soldier, killing 13 service members and civilians and wounding 32 others. If his execution is broadcast live, it would mark the first time US authorities have shown an execution to the public in real time.


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