Military Archbishop Opposes Livestreamed Hasan Execution Plan

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the U.S. military's archbishop, criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream the December execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan and urged Catholic service members assigned to the execution to request exemption.

Broglio issued his statement Monday, citing Catholic opposition to the death penalty and warning of possible moral injury for military personnel involved in carrying out the execution.

The archbishop said the proposed broadcast raised questions about the military's image and the treatment of human dignity.

"Do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries?" Broglio asked, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.

Broglio also addressed the potential global impact of showing the execution publicly. He said the military's reputation could be affected by the decision.

"The US military generally enjoys a good reputation in the world," Broglio wrote, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.

The archbishop continued his criticism by questioning whether the broadcast would align with the dignity of the person being executed.

"Is there really a value to throwing them in the same boat with terrorists by broadcasting the image of the execution of a man in a wheel chair to the whole world? Does this decision reflect the dignity of the human person?" Broglio asked, Archbishop for the Military Services, USA.

Pope Leo XIV separately addressed capital punishment in a social media post three days earlier, though he did not specifically mention Hasan's case.

"Inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." Pope Leo XIV wrote, referring to the death penalty.

Hegseth announced the livestream plan last week, saying the public should understand the consequences of such crimes. Hasan was convicted by court-martial in 2013 for killing 13 people and injuring more than 30 at Fort Hood, Texas.

"Because people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things." Hegseth said, Defense Secretary.

The planned execution could become the U.S. military's first execution of an American since 1961 and its first use of a firing squad since 1945.

Senators and House leaders have criticized the livestream proposal. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota both expressed opposition to making the execution public.

"I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America," Murkowski said, U.S. senator from Alaska.

Murkowski's comments followed broader criticism from lawmakers who questioned whether the broadcast was appropriate.

"Death penalty is not entertainment." Cramer said, U.S. senator from North Dakota.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said some Republican lawmakers had concerns about the plan and that he intended to raise the issue with the White House.

"Concerns," Johnson said, House Speaker, describing the views of some House Republican colleagues.

Johnson said the possible effects of the video needed further review, including whether it could be used by extremists.

"The concern would be that you would create a video that would be a recruiting tool for future terrorists. You know, we've got to think through the policy implications of all of that. I wouldn't be watching it if it was aired.

But there's a lot of opinions on that. I think there's still some time to talk about that." Johnson said, House Speaker.

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic, also said he would not view the execution if it is broadcast.

"If it's ultimately livestreamed, I'm not going to be watching it." Vance said, Vice President.