Deutsche Welle reports today that U.S. President Trump announced on Thursday the cancellation of the live broadcast of the execution of Nidal Hasan, the perpetrator of the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood military base in Texas. While affirming that the death penalty would still be carried out, Trump stated it would no longer be conducted as originally planned by the Pentagon through public livestreaming.
In a statement, Trump wrote: “Broadcasting the execution for public viewing might serve as a powerful deterrent, allowing the world to witness how the United States deals with terrorists and scoundrels like Hasan. However, many kind and decent people prefer not to witness his death—whether through live streaming or any other visual medium.”
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had announced that Hasan would be executed on December 3 at Fort Hood by a firing squad composed of military personnel, with the process to be broadcast publicly.
Commentary: Trump’s decision to halt the livestream stems from intense domestic and international pressure, extending beyond concerns about public sentiment. The proposal drew widespread opposition even within the Republican Party, from retired generals, and religious groups. Many lawmakers fear that footage of the execution, once released, could be edited and exploited by extremist organizations for recruitment purposes. Additionally, the spectacle risks being compared to the public executions of hostages carried out by terrorist groups, significantly undermining America’s global image. The United Nations human rights body has explicitly warned that such a procedure violates established international norms.
This sequence appears to follow a carefully orchestrated political script: first, the defense secretary introduced a highly controversial plan for a televised execution, raising the rhetorical temperature to appeal to Trump’s base—those demanding harsh punishment of criminals and a strong posture abroad. Once public attention peaked and opposition emerged, Trump stepped in to reverse course. This maneuver allows him to simultaneously signal support for a tough stance on capital punishment to conservative allies while invoking empathy for public sensibilities to avoid criticism over ethical breaches or damage to America’s international reputation. Even internal disagreements within government are reframed as part of a strategic performance—where a subordinate proposes an extreme measure, and the president ultimately exercises “balanced judgment,” thereby consolidating public support. The execution itself proceeds unchanged; the core objective remains intact, while the risks associated with public broadcasting are skillfully circumvented.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879199264375817/
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