Trump cancels Pentagon plan to livestream firing squad execution

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 02:20 · Archive

Donald Trump has cancelled the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a soldier convicted of killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, scheduled for December 3. Trump supports the execution but sources close to him told CNN that he was blindsided when Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the livestream plan. This would have been the first U.S. execution of a soldier since World War II.

Backlash was immediate and crossed political divides. An ABC News poll found 8 in 10 Americans opposed the livestream, including a 55 per cent majority of MAGA Republicans. The plan was also opposed internationally, with U.S. Democrats and Republicans, the Catholic Church and the United Nations expressing outrage.

Insiders told ABC News that Trump feared that 'broadcasting the execution could super charge anti-American propaganda or reflect poorly on the US'. An Army officer who was appalled by Hegseth's announcement told CNN that livestreaming the execution 'takes away everything America stands for'.

On Truth Social, Trump confirmed that Hasan 'will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.' Families of victims will still be able to watch the execution.

Trump cancels Pentagon plan to livestream firing squad execution — Image: The Japan Times

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How it is being reported

Trump scraps Hegseth’s plan to livestream execution after fierce backlashThe plan was opposed at home and abroad, with U.S. Democrats and Republicans, the Catholic Church and the United Nations all expressing outrage.The Japan Times · 16 Oct, 02:04
Trump cancels Pentagon plans to livestream firing squad execution8 in 10 Americans opposed the Pentagon's plans, a Thursday poll showed.Ars Technica · 15 Oct, 19:16

In this story: Donald Trump · Nidal Hasan · Pete Hegseth · Pentagon · Fort Hood

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