8 in 10 Americans oppose live-streaming execution of Fort Hood shooter
- Public overwhelmingly rejects live-streaming Army Maj. Nidal Hasan's firing squad, 80% vs. 18%.
- Even pro-firing-squad voters think broadcasting the killing is a grotesque spectacle, not justice.
- Hegseth's 'shock and awe' policy blowback crosses party lines — only MAGA Republican men bite.
- Military vets back the firing squad (72%) but still draw the line at broadcasting it (67% oppose).
- Trump-backed plan would mark first federal TV execution since the McVeigh poll in 2001 (73% said no).
Brief Summary
While Americans can agree that convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan deserves a date with a firing squad (53% vs. 42%), they are not lining up for front-row seats to the carnage. A new Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds a whopping 8 in 10 Americans oppose the Pentagon's plan to live-stream this lethal theater, proving that even a bloodthirsty public has *some* standards after all. The only crowd cheering for this snuff film? A fraction of MAGA Republican men, because of course the 'lock them up' crowd wants two birds and one stone: vengeance and a pay-per-view gore fest.
Why This Matters
What ought to be a straightforward capital punishment case has been weaponized by Defense Secretary Hegseth and President Trump into a culture war trolling session. The administration wants to broadcast the execution as a 'consequence' show, but the poll reveals that the majority of Americans show more restraint than the Secretary of Defense — a low bar, admittedly. This poll is a warning shot: if they go through with it, it's not going to be a unifying moment of justice; it'll be a global embarrassment and a recruiting poster for extremists.