# Pete Hegseth's Firing Squad Livestream Sparks Defense Industry Debate

> Defense tech founder Palmer Luckey defends public executions after Trump approved Nidal Hasan's firing squad execution livestream.
- Title: Pete Hegseth's Firing Squad Livestream Sparks Defense…
- Summary: Defense tech founder Palmer Luckey defends public executions after Trump approved Nidal Hasan's firing squad execution livestream. Palmer Luckey, Anduril…
- Keywords: palmer luckey, anduril industries, nidal hasan, pete hegseth, fort hood, firing squad, public executions, defense department, trump, livestream, Pete, Hegseth's
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/hasan-hegseth-firing-squad-livestream-execution-palantir-anduril-luckey
- Author: Alex Nguyen
- Published: 2026-10-12T21:35:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: palmer luckey, anduril industries, nidal hasan, pete hegseth, fort hood, firing squad, public executions, defense department, trump, livestream
## Palmer Luckey's Public Execution Stance
Palmer Luckey, co-founder of Anduril Industries, has spoken publicly for over a decade about wanting public executions.

> I have been outspoken on wanting public executions for over a decade.
## Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Livestream Plan
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the execution of Fort Hood murderer Nidal Malik Hasan would be livestreamed.
## Nidal Hasan's Background
Nidal Malik Hasan, an active-duty Army major in 2009, killed 13 people at Fort Hood before being paralyzed from the waist down.
## Luckey's Defense of Public Executions
Luckey argues public executions are the 'ultimate example of the state’s monopoly on violence' to discourage violent acts.

> Executions are the 'ultimate example of the state’s monopoly on violence,'
## Criticism of Livestream Plan
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Thom Tillis criticized the livestream plan, calling it 'beyond disgusting' and a risk for terrorist recruitment.

> beyond disgusting
## Public Execution Debate Continues
The debate over public executions intensifies as Trump's approval of Hasan's firing squad execution livestream sparks defense industry reactions.
## Key takeaway

Palmer Luckey, Anduril co-founder, argues public executions are necessary to discourage violence, as Trump orders Hasan's firing squad execution to be livestreamed.