Mullin Defends Pentagon Livestream Plan for Fort Hood Execution

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sunday defended the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Mullin said he does not see an elevated security risk from the decision.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last week that the execution, scheduled for Dec. 3 by firing squad, would be publicly livestreamed. According to the Pentagon announcement, it would be the first military execution since 1961.

Mullin defended the decision during an appearance on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan and said the public would not be required to watch the broadcast.

"I think people need to understand, if you attack America, we will come after you and we will make sure that the punishment fits the crime," said Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security.

Mullin said his position was focused on protecting the country and added that he had no sympathy for Hasan. He also said President Trump was the commander in chief guiding the administration's approach.

"No one has to watch it if they don't choose to," said Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security.

Mullin continued by expressing support for President Trump and his leadership, while describing his own role as protecting the homeland.

"I follow President Trump. He's the commander in chief of the country, and he does a phenomenal job. He leads this country with a very, very, very direct, forward, straight hand, and he's restoring America values," said Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security.

The secretary also addressed his view of Hasan's punishment after the 2009 attack at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

"I give absolutely zero thought to the way that this man dies," said Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security.

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska criticized the Pentagon's plan, saying executions should not be livestreamed and warning that the broadcast could give Hasan additional attention.

"I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America," said Lisa Murkowski, Senator from Alaska.

Murkowski also wrote on X that the planned livestream would be inappropriate and argued that Hasan should not receive further public attention.

"It would give this individual, who deserves no further notoriety, the martyrdom he seeks," said Lisa Murkowski, Senator from Alaska.

Vice President JD Vance also discussed the controversy, referring to Hasan's 2009 attack that killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others.

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

Vance had described Hasan's attack as the worst terrorist attack on American soil outside of 9/11. President Trump said Saturday that he was considering differing views on whether the execution should be livestreamed.

"I'll make a decision, ultimately," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.