Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman is urging President Donald Trump to intervene in Pentagon plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the man convicted of carrying out the deadly 2009 shooting at Fort Hood.
In a statement released Monday, Westerman condemned the “decision to publicize the execution,” arguing that broadcasting a death to the public would undermine the dignity of the nation’s justice system.
His objections followed an announcement by Pete Hegseth outlining plans to livestream Hasan’s execution by firing squad. The Pentagon announced the proposed broadcast last Thursday, while the Army said last week that the execution would take place at Fort Hood on December 3.
Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in the shooting at the military base in 2009. Westerman described the attack as “horrific,” but said the nature of the crime did not make a public broadcast of the punishment appropriate.
“A public execution is not in the best interest of the United States or our justice system, which, for 250 years, has been marked by dignity and great respect around the world,” Westerman said.
The congressman’s appeal focused on the decision to show the execution to the public. His statement called for Trump to stop the livestream plan rather than asking the president to halt the execution itself.
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That distinction was central to his criticism. Westerman acknowledged the severity of Hasan’s crimes while arguing that the government should maintain its principles in carrying out punishment. He framed the planned broadcast as a question of how the United States presents and administers justice.
The Pentagon’s announcement would make the planned execution available for viewers to watch live. Westerman challenged that approach, saying the country’s response to the Fort Hood killings should not turn the condemned man’s death into a public event.
He closed his statement with a direct appeal to the values he said should guide the nation, even when dealing with someone convicted of a devastating attack.
“We must always remember the principles our nation was built upon. Turning death, no matter how warranted, into public spectacle is not the answer,” the congressman said.
Westerman’s request places the issue before Trump, whom he urged to step in and stop the Pentagon from proceeding with the broadcast. His position draws a line between carrying out the sentence against Hasan and allowing the public to watch it unfold.
The Army’s announced execution date remains December 3 at Fort Hood. Westerman’s statement sought presidential action specifically on the planned livestream.
