Hirono Statement on Department of Defense Announcement to Livestream Execution

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services (SASC) released a statement following the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) announcement to livestream the military execution of Nidal Malik Hassan: “Livestreaming an execution is not a demonstration of strength. It is a barbaric spectacle that jeopardizes our national security, core values, and global standing. This decision shows yet again Secretary Hegseth is wholly unfit to serve as Secretary of Defense. He should resign. Nidal Hasan should face justice but giving him a public platform to spew hate only hands extremists a powerful tool for anti-American recruitment and radicalization. The United States cannot stoop to a level of grotesque violence frequently used by the terrorist organizations United States servicemembers have fought so hard against. The Pentagon must immediately revoke its decision to livestream this execution.” ###