US military archbishop: Streamed execution threatens to ‘imitate the terrorists’

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, on Monday said he does not approve of the Trump administration’s decision to livestream the military execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan, warning that it could “imitate the terrorists.”

Broglio said in a statement released by the Archdiocese for the Military Services that he sends his sympathy to the families and friends of Fort Hood shooting victims, noting that he presided over the funeral of one of those killed, Michael Grant Cahill.

He added that he sides with the Catholic Church’s opposition to capital punishment, “and Pope Francis made it even clearer.”

“Thirdly, do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries?” he continued. “The crime committed by Nidal Malik Hasan was heinous, but does exposing the public to his execution serve any purpose?”

“Has the potential moral injury, which the members of the firing squad might experience, been considered?” Broglio inquired. “Will the exposure of a livestream to the young and impressionable during the 250th anniversary year of our independence be able to be repaired?”

He asked if there was any “value” in having the U.S. military thrown “in the same boat with terrorists by broadcasting the image of the execution of a man in a wheelchair to the whole world.”

“Does this decision reflect the dignity of the human person?” Broglio said before calling on service members to stop the livestream and urging Catholic members of the firing squad “to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the church.”

When asked by The Hill about Broglio’s remarks, the Pentagon referred to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s response to a CBS News social media post about the execution being livestreamed. His short response reads: “Correct.”

Hegseth on Thursday announced that the former U.S. Army major’s execution will be streamed and open to the public for viewing. The execution falls on Dec. 3, a Thursday, the same day of the week Hasan had planned his attack. It will also be held at Fort Hood, Hegseth said.

The announcement drew condemnation over its publicity. Democratic and Republican lawmakers urged the Pentagon to reverse its decision, with Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) warning that the stream could potentially fuel radicalization.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the choice , saying on Sunday that it is part of President Trump “restoring American values.” He dismissed concerns that it could fuel radicalization.

“I think people need to understand, if you attack America, we will come after you, and we will make sure that the punishment fits the crime,” Mullin said on CBS News’s “Face the Nation.” “I have no sympathy for him, and I give absolutely zero thought to the way that this man dies.”