Pentagon’s execution livestream plan faces backlash as Trump weighs final call

President Trump says he'll make the final call on whether the military live-streams the execution of a former Army major who killed 13 people at Fort Hood. The Pentagon announced the plan last week, and now it's drawing pushback from Republicans, including some in Trump's own administration. Nidal Hasan is scheduled to die by firing squad Dec. 3 at the same Texas Army base where he carried out the 2009 mass shooting. The former Army psychiatrist was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others. It would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad since World War II. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the livestream plan Thursday, but the Pentagon hasn't said where it would air or how the public would watch. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski is urging the Pentagon to reverse course. On X, she wrote, quote, I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America. Pope Leo also weighed in Saturday, calling the death penalty inadmissible. He didn't directly address Hasan's case, but said justice can be served without capital punishment. Vice President J.D. Vance was asked about the controversy Friday. So whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don't forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people. Now, that said, I mean, look, if it's ultimately live streamed, I'm not going to be watching it. On Saturday, Trump said he's hearing arguments on both sides. He's a vicious killer, killed 13 people in cold blood, wounded over 20. Some of those people will never have their lives back in a true sense. He was vicious. He was violent. There are two thoughts. Don't show it and show it, because, you know, by showing it, maybe other people won't be doing what he did. So I'll make a decision ultimately. Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen defended the plan on CBS Sunday. I think people need to understand if you attack, if you attack America, um, we will come after you and we will make sure that the, that the punishment fits the crime. I have no sympathy for him and I give absolutely zero, um, uh, thought to the way that this man dies. Under current army rules, only select witnesses can attend a military execution. The Pentagon still hasn't explained how a public live stream would work and Trump hasn't said when he'll make his decision.