Christian Leaders Split Over Planned Livestream of Nidal Hasan Execution

October 14, 2026

Christian leaders are split over plans to livestream the firing-squad execution of a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.

Christianity Daily reports that Pentagon officials have said Nidal Hasan, who represented himself during his 2013 military trial, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on Dec. 3, with a public livestream under consideration.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, questioned the criticism surrounding the proposed broadcast and contrasted it with depictions of violence in popular entertainment.

In a Facebook post Sunday morning, Graham wrote: “There are a lot of strong opinions out there about live-streaming the execution of a convicted mass killer. I don’t know where that debate will land, but some network news shows were saying how disgusted they were and how terrible it is. I found it ironic that many who embrace Hollywood and its culture of death that is constantly depicting murders, rapes, and all kinds of violence — all in the name of entertainment — are saying they’re so appalled at this. Have we become desensitized to death? What are your thoughts?”

Pastor Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas, also voiced support for a public execution in a social media post Friday, saying God established capital punishment in Genesis 9:6 to underscore the sacredness of human life.

According to Christianity Daily, other Christian leaders have expressed strong opposition to the proposed broadcast.

The Catholic Herald reports Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and archbishop of Oklahoma City, said he learned of the decision “with shock and great sorrow” and called it “a barbaric promotion of a culture of death” that should be reconsidered.

Coakley said nothing could excuse Hasan’s actions and cited Romans 12:17, which warns against repaying evil for evil.

Hasan’s execution is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. CT at Fort Hood.

Photo: top, Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/WITN TV