Public executions in the US stopped nearly a century ago - why are they resuming now?

The U.S. military has announced plans to livestream the execution of a convicted shooter, a decision that legal and public opinion experts warn may deepen national divisions rather than serve as a deterrent. While the Pentagon frames the move as a matter of transparency, critics argue it risks normalizing capital punishment and inflaming tensions at a time when public support for the death penalty is already declining. The unusual approach contrasts with past executions, which have typically been carried out without public broadcast, raising questions about its intended message. Legal scholars also highlight potential constitutional concerns over the method’s fairness and the broader implications for military justice.

The Pentagon says the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan will be livestreamed, but experts suggest officials are reading the country wrong.