US Vice-President JD Vance has expressed skepticism regarding the Pentagon’s intention to livestream the upcoming execution of the Fort Hood shooter. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Vance questioned whether the heavily discussed broadcast would actually take place and made it clear he had no intention of viewing it.

The case involves former US Army major Nidal Hasan, who carried out a mass shooting at the Texas military base in 2009. The attack resulted in the deaths of 13 unarmed service members and left 32 others injured. Vance characterized the crime as one of the most severe terrorist incidents on domestic soil since the September 11 attacks, noting that the perpetrator had exploited his position as a medical professional tasked with treating vulnerable soldiers.

Earlier in the week, military officials announced that the death sentence would be carried out by a firing squad. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth subsequently stated that the event would be broadcast live to the public. According to the defense chief, the measure was intended to demonstrate that committing such grave offenses carries severe consequences.

The proposal to stream the execution has drawn swift condemnation from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Republican Senator John Curtis warned that publicizing executions as entertainment risks eroding societal values and urged the defense secretary to reverse the decision. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy similarly denounced the plan during a media appearance, comparing the concept to tactics utilized by extremist organizations.

External organizations have also voiced strong objections to the broadcast. The United Nations human rights office warned that streaming an execution amounts to a public spectacle and violates prohibitions against torture. Additionally, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement expressing profound sorrow and opposition to the public display.

If carried out, the event would mark the first military execution in the United States in more than six decades. While the legal path toward the sentence continues to move forward, the controversial broadcasting plan has ignited a broad debate over justice, deterrence, and the ethics of publicizing state-sanctioned lethal force.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.