JD Vance casts doubt on firing squad execution and says he won't watch it

"I'm not going to be watching it" - JD Vance on possible livestreamed execution

US Vice-President JD Vance has cast doubt on the Pentagon's plans to livestream a firing squad execution of the Fort Hood shooter.

He added, that "if it's through live stream, I'm not going to be watching it". Vance described the actions by former US Army major Nidal Hasan as "the worst terrorist attack on American soil outside of 9/11".

The Pentagon announced earlier this week it would execute Hasan on 3 December 2026 by firing squad.

"People need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things," said Hegseth.

Responding to a reporter's question on Friday about how the Pentagon's announcement meshes with his Catholic faith, Vance said: "I see these announcements. I don't know that that's actually going to happen."

The announcement of the livestream plans has been met with criticism from both political parties.

Curtis said that Hegseth's plan "risks feeding that appetite" and urged him to reconsider.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy told CNN that the idea was "disgusting" and reminiscent of executions carried out by the Islamic State group.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops condemned the decision to publicly livestream Hasan's execution, expressing "shock and great sorrow" in a statement.

Hasan opened fire in a crowded medical building where deploying soldiers were awaiting check-ups and vaccines.

The killings on 5 November 2009 were the deadliest ever non-combat attack on an American military base.