The former military leaders, including 45 generals, 12 admirals and several former judge advocates general, released an open letter on Wednesday urging President Donald Trump and Congress to stop the broadcast. The Pentagon announced last week that the execution by firing squad, scheduled for 3 December, would be shown publicly.
"We ask the President, our Congressional representatives, and our fellow citizens to act to prevent this barbaric abuse of authority," the letter states. The signatories said they did not oppose the death penalty itself but argued the livestream would violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, turning a "solemn and grave punishment" into "a carnival for the enjoyment of voyeurs and spectators."
President Trump said last week he "absolutely" approved of the livestream plan, but according to CBS News, the BBC's US media partner, some administration officials are now leaning against it and Trump had not made a final decision as of Tuesday. Lawmakers from both parties, as well as religious leaders, have also criticised the plan.
The retired officers warned that broadcasting the execution would "taint the honor of the military" and be used by enemies to "stoke hatred, harm American soldiers and citizens in the future, and will ensure that Hasan becomes a martyr for attacking and killing his fellow soldiers."
Hasan, who now uses a wheelchair after being shot during the attack, said in court he carried out the Fort Hood shooting, the deadliest non-combat attack on a US base, believing he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban from the US military.