Public Executions Shame a Nation. Stop The Broadcast of Hasan's Shooting

As your constituent, I am outraged by the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the December 3 execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad at Fort Hood. I urge you to seek an immediate reprieve to stop the announced plan and prevent the government from turning his execution into a public spectacle. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 in the 2009 Fort Hood attack. Those crimes were horrific. The victims, survivors, and their families deserve lasting support and respect. Nothing in this letter excuses his conduct. BROADCASTING AN EXECUTION TURNS MILITARY PUNISHMENT INTO A PUBLIC SPECTACLE Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be public, and the Pentagon confirmed plans to livestream it. That is a separate government decision from imposing a death sentence. Even people who support capital punishment can reject making an execution a public spectacle. The government should uphold human dignity even when punishing someone who violated it so brutally. INVITING THE WORLD TO WATCH SOLDIERS SHOOT A PRISONER CROSSES A MORAL LINE. It risks retraumatizing survivors and families, exposing children to footage that can circulate indefinitely, and requiring military personnel to participate in a government-produced display of killing. Independent witnesses, reliable records, and congressional oversight can provide accountability without a public broadcast. Once released, that footage cannot be recalled, and officials cannot control how it is replayed or exploited. Public executions persist in Iran, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and North Korea. The United States should not join these governments in making a public spectacle of killing prisoners. CONGRESS SHOULD BLOCK THE PUBLIC EXECUTION AND ITS BROADCAST BEFORE DECEMBER 3 Article I gives Congress authority to regulate the armed forces and control federal spending. Congress can prohibit public spectacles without excluding authorized witnesses. The President can grant a reprieve to delay the execution while Congress acts. Please take these actions now: (1) SEEK AN IMMEDIATE REPRIEVE. Urge President Trump to postpone Hasan’s execution while Congress acts to prevent the public spectacle, and Secretary Hegseth to cancel the broadcast. A delay would also allow time for courts to hear any legal challenges. (2) BLOCK PUBLIC SPECTATORS AND BROADCASTS. Introduce or cosponsor legislation prohibiting general-public attendance at military executions and government broadcasting or public distribution of execution footage. Bar federal funds, personnel, equipment, and facilities from supporting these activities, while preserving authorized witnesses, including independent media witnesses, and oversight. (3) REQUIRE ANSWERS BEFORE THE EXECUTION. Urge the Armed Services Committees to hold urgent hearings and obtain the legal justification, orders, broadcast plans, and safeguards for victims’ families and participating personnel. Publicly oppose this plan now. Thank you.