Hegseth wants a livestream execution. Here's how firing squads work

The Pentagon announced plans to livestream the firing squad execution of a man convicted in a 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, which would be the first public execution in the United States in nearly a century. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported the plan, and President Trump approved it, though Trump suggested the decision might not be final. The proposal has drawn criticism from Democrats, some Republicans, religious leaders, and others who argue it sets a dangerous precedent and compares unfavorably to practices in authoritarian countries. As of the latest reports, the execution remains planned despite the mounting concerns.

44 across the spectrum. Choose a side on the bar to jump to it.

National story. 110 articles from 64 sources. Sources that ran the same article count once, which leaves 44 viewpoints. Updated 4h ago.

How each side is putting it

Left

11 viewpoints
Latin TimesLean Left· 4h ago

Mike Johnson Warns Livestreamed Execution Could Help Terrorist Recruitment, Plans to Raise Concerns With White House

Ran by 12 outlets across the spectrum· The Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, +1 more
The Boston GlobeLean Left· 5h ago

Experts urge parents to prepare kids for possible livestreamed execution

Philadelphia InquirerLean Left· 21h ago

Experts urge parents to prepare kids for possible livestreamed execution

Bangor Daily NewsLean Left· 21h ago

Experts urge parents to prepare kids for possible livestreamed execution

PBS NewsHourLean Left· 6h ago

Why experts are urging parents to prepare kids for possible livestreamed execution

AxiosLean Left· 7h ago

Hegseth wants a livestream execution. Here's how firing squads work

The New RepublicLeft· 7h ago

Pentagon Archbishop Bashes Pete Hegseth’s Plans for Public Execution

Center

23 viewpoints
Ran by 7 outlets· KVIA El Paso, KTVZ Bend, +5 more
KVIA El PasoCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

KTVZ BendCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

ABC 17 Mid-MissouriCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

KRDOCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

Local News 8Center· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

KESQ Palm SpringsCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

KION Central CoastCenter· 4h ago

Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed

News Nation NowCenter· 5h ago

Christian leaders rebuke broadcast of execution of Fort Hood shooter

NewsweekCenter· 7h ago

Public Execution Proposal of Fort Hood Shooter Divides Christians

TangleCenter· 9h ago

Should executions be livestreamed?

Military.comCenter· 10h ago

Religious Leaders Call DOD's Planned Livestreamed Public Execution 'Barbaric'

Right

10 viewpoints
New York PostLean Right· 4h ago

The Fort Hood killer’s execution: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 14, 2026

Ran by 2 outlets· Blaze Media, Conservative Review
Blaze MediaRight· 8h ago

The Fort Hood shooter is the ‘victim’ now as media compares execution to ‘lynchings’

Conservative ReviewRight· 8h ago

The Fort Hood shooter is the ‘victim’ now as media compares execution to ‘lynchings’

Fox NewsRight· 9h ago

Americans draw the line at livestreaming ‘spectacle’ of Fort Hood shooter's execution: ‘It’s an abomination’

Christian HeadlinesRight· 10h ago

Mohler Opposes Livestreaming Hasan’s Execution: It Would Make Him a ‘Martyr’ for Islamic Terrorists

New York PostLean Right· 11h ago

Mike Johnson urges Trump to rethink livestreaming Nidal Hasan execution: ‘I wouldn’t be watching’

Other outlets

International, entertainment and tech outlets, by their rating. Not counted in the bar above. How we count coverage

Left

4 articles
The GuardianLean Left· 1d ago

Archbishop of US military condemns Pentagon plans to livestream execution

Al JazeeraLean Left· 2d ago

US Homeland Security secretary sees no ‘risk’ from livestreamed execution

GizmodoLeft· 4d ago

FCC Chair Brendan Carr Says Pete Hegseth Has Final Say On Broadcasting Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution

The GuardianLean Left· 4d ago

Pete Hegseth’s plan to livestream execution puts US in dubious company

Center

0 articles

None

Right

0 articles

None

The story so far

12 developments
  1. Oct 8The Last Public Execution in US As Fort Hood Shooter’s To Be Livestreamed
  2. Oct 9Public executions in the US stopped nearly a century ago - why are they resuming now?
  3. Oct 13Experts urge parents to prepare kids for possible livestreamed execution
  4. Oct 13Trump debates calling off livestream of firing squad execution after learning Fort Hood shooter was paralyzed
  5. Oct 13Mike Johnson Warns Livestreamed Execution Could Help Terrorist Recruitment, Plans to Raise Concerns With White House

Who covered each development

The bigger story