# Retired generals urge Pentagon to cancel execution livestream

> Seventy-two retired US military officers have written to President Trump opposing plans to publicly broadcast the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist who killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood.
- Title: Retired generals urge Pentagon to cancel execution livestream
- Summary: Seventy-two retired US military officers have written to President Trump opposing plans to publicly broadcast the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the…
- Keywords: nidal hasan, fort hood shooting, execution, livestream, pentagon, donald trump, military, capital punishment, news, world, Retired, generals
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmp3gnngv3e9o
- Published: 2026-10-15T02:26:07.736+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nidal hasan, fort hood shooting, execution, livestream, pentagon, donald trump, military, capital punishment, news, world
## Seventy-two retired officers oppose livestream
A group of seventy-two retired US generals, admirals and high-ranking military officers have pressed the government to cancel plans to livestream an execution by firing squad.
## Hasan execution set for December third
The Pentagon announced it would publicly show the December third execution of Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who shot dead thirteen unarmed US soldiers at the Fort Hood military base.
## Officers say livestream violates Constitution
The retired military leaders argued a public execution would violate the US Constitution's protections against cruel and unusual punishment and turn a solemn punishment into a carnival for voyeurs.

> a carnival for the enjoyment of voyeurs and spectators
## Officers warn execution could create martyr
The letter said the livestream would turn Hasan into a martyr, be used by enemies to stoke hatred, harm American soldiers and citizens, and taint the honour of the military.

> It will be used by our nation's enemies to stoke hatred, harm American soldiers and citizens in the future, and will ensure that Hasan becomes a martyr
## Trump approves but final decision pending
President Donald Trump said he absolutely approved of the livestream plan, but some administration officials are now leaning against it and no final decision has been made as of Tuesday.
## Key takeaway

Seventy-two retired US generals and admirals are pressing the government to cancel plans to livestream the December third execution of Nidal Hasan, who shot dead thirteen soldiers at Fort Hood in two thousand nine.