Hirono calls livestream military execution ‘a barbaric spectacle’

Hawaiʻi US Sen. Mazie Hirono, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, is protesting the Department of Defense’s announcement to livestream the military execution of Nidal Malik Hassan.

Hassan is a former Army officer and psychiatrist who killed 13 people and injured 32 others during a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. President Trump approved the firing squad execution on Oct. 2.

“Livestreaming an execution is not a demonstration of strength. It is a barbaric spectacle that jeopardizes our national security, core values, and global standing,” Hirono said. “This decision shows yet again Secretary Hegseth is wholly unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. He should resign.”

“Nidal Hasan should face justice but giving him a public platform to spew hate only hands extremists a powerful tool for anti-American recruitment and radicalization,” Hirono continued. “The United States cannot stoop to a level of grotesque violence frequently used by the terrorist organizations United States service members have fought so hard against.”

The Pentagon must immediately revoke its decision to livestream this execution, she said.

The execution is set for 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at Fort Hood.