Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over plans to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution. She accused Hegseth of treating the execution like entertainment and said the country had entered a darker political moment. Her remarks drew attention as she challenged both the planned broadcast and the tone surrounding Hasan’s punishment.
Nixon made the remarks in a post on X, where she directly targeted Hegseth’s handling of the execution. She also said Hasan should still face accountability for his actions.
The Pentagon confirmed earlier this week that Hasan’s Dec. 3 execution was expected to be livestreamed. However, President Donald Trump cast doubt on those plans Friday, saying he would make the final decision on whether the execution is broadcast
The lawmaker accused Hegseth of being “clearly coked out” and said he “thinks this is a video game.” She then declared, “Democracy in this country has fallen.” She warned that the administration was returning the country to “the worst chapters of our history.” Nixon did not provide evidence to support the drug-use allegation.
However, Nixon separated her criticism of the livestream from Hasan’s punishment itself. “Nidal Hasan should be held accountable,” she said. She added that his execution “should not be entertainment at watch parties.”
Angie Nixon Faces Backlash Over Nidal Hasan Execution Livestream
Nixon’s remarks triggered criticism from users who defended public access to the execution and challenged her accusations against Hegseth.
One user argued that broadcasting the execution could serve as a deterrent, writing, “Let the world watch it. The next terrorist will think twice.” Another rejected Nixon’s description of the event, stating, “It’s not entertainment. It’s confirmation and closure.”
A separate response emphasized individual choice, saying, “Nobody said you had to watch it.” Another focused on Nixon’s allegation against Hegseth: “That’s a serious accusation you made about the @SecWar I hope you can prove it.”
Others continued defending the idea of public viewing. One user wrote, “Ah, I think it’s good. Maybe it’ll deter mass shootings.” Another said, “It’s not going to be publicly broadcasted, but if it was you’re free to not watch.”
The controversy comes as the fate of the proposed livestream remains uncertain, with Trump now saying he will make the final decision on whether Hasan’s execution is broadcast.
