Pete Hegseth Faces International Law Violations, ISIS Comparisons Over Fort Hood Killer Execution Plan
UN human rights office and lawmakers criticize proposed livestreaming of Nidal Hasan's execution, citing international law and medieval comparisons.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing accusations of violating international law and comparisons to ISIS for his proposal to livestream the execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan.
The United Nations human rights office stated Friday that broadcasting the killing would be "tantamount to a public execution" and a breach of the "absolute prohibition of torture." Lawmakers from both parties have echoed these concerns.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) questioned Hegseth's motives on live television, asking, "What is he mimicking? ISIS executions." Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina declared that public executions are "what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do" and stated such an event "should not be happening in America," calling the idea "beyond disgusting."
Rep. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) described Hegseth as "a deeply unwell person who seems to relish this kind of brutality," adding that Hegseth is "running a department that is falling into chaos" and "cannot run the military competently."
Hegseth revealed the livestreaming plan on Thursday during an appearance with conservative influencer Jack Posobiec on Real America's Voice, speaking from the USS Abraham Lincoln. "We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public," Hegseth said. "People need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things."
Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, killed 12 soldiers and one civilian at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, in the deadliest attack on a U.S. military installation. The Pentagon announced Monday that Hegseth had recommended, and President Donald Trump approved, Hasan's execution by firing squad, which would be the first military execution since 1961.
Murphy, who was informed of the livestream plan on CNN, stated, "I understand that in this country we have the death penalty, but public executions is medieval," associating it with tactics used by terrorist groups. Tillis agreed that Hasan should face the death penalty but opposed making the execution public.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously characterized public executions as "a form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment," a stance it has taken regarding Iran and Afghanistan. Hasan was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder in 2013. He was paralyzed after being shot by police during the 2009 rampage. Army regulations mandate that the sentence be carried out within 150 days of presidential approval.
Hegseth has faced criticism for his handling of the Iran war, particularly after Iran's actions impacted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. However, his influence within the Trump administration has reportedly grown, partly due to his early support for military action against Iran.