Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the Trump administration’s proposal to livestream Sunday’s execution of a convicted mass murderer and dismissed concerns that the broadcast could turn him into a martyr, something the New York Post editorial board believes public viewing could lead to.
The proposal calls for a public broadcast of the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood.
When CBS’ “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan asked whether broadcasting Hassan’s execution would encourage radicalization by turning him into a martyr, Mullin responded bluntly: “No one has to watch it.”
“I don’t think the risk is elevated at all from this right now,” Mullin said. He believed the executions would show the consequences of attacking Americans.
“I have absolutely zero regard for the manner in which this man died,” he added.
Defense Minister Peter Hegseth announced on Thursday that Hassan would be executed by firing squad on December 3, with the entire process livestreamed to the public. It was the first execution by the U.S. military since 1961.
Minister Hegseth was asked about the execution of Nidal Hassan:
“Without a doubt – executed by firing squad…
Of course, we did it at Fort Hood. We were going to do it at 1 o’clock – that’s when he did it. The execution would be carried out by soldiers armed with rifles. “
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) October 8, 2026
The proposal faced opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urged the Pentagon to reverse what she called a “terrible decision” and warned that the broadcast could make Hassan famous and lead him to seek martyrdom.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis also condemned the proposal, saying public executions belong in repressive dictatorships, not the United States. Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott said he supported Hassan’s death sentence but opposed the broadcast.
Senator Jack Reed warned that live-streaming executions could provide material for terrorist recruitment.
Others defended the proposal. Robert Jeffries, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and a longtime Trump ally, believes public executions reflect the sanctity of human life. Rep. Andy Ogus, R-Tenn., also expressed support.
Vice president JD Vance questioned whether the live broadcast would actually happen, but wouldn’t watch it if it did happen. President Donald Trump said Saturday he would ultimately make a decision.
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The controversy comes less than two weeks after Tennessee failed in its attempt to execute Christa Pike, who survived two doses of a lethal injection drug on Sept. 30. Pike later regained consciousness and her lawyers have been fighting to preserve evidence of the botched proceedings.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee ordered a review of the failed execution, intensifying scrutiny of the death penalty method as the government considers broadcasting Hassan’s death.
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