Smith says the livestream makes a spectacle of justice
Adam SmithRanking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee
Smith calls the planned livestream disturbing and says it makes a mockery of the legal system.
“There is a reason why we treat the meting out of justice with the seriousness it demands.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Should Pete Hegseth livestream Nidal Hasan's execution?
Pete Hegseth confirmed plans to livestream Nidal Hasan's execution. Rep. Betty McCollum calls for stopping the public execution plan, while Alyssa Farah Griffin opposes broadcasting it despite supporting capital punishment. The dispute concerns public viewing of the execution.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Smith objects to broadcasting the execution as a spectacle rather than treating punishment with legal seriousness.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Smith responds to Hegseth's announcement that Hasan's military execution will be livestreamed.
After the quotation
He argues that a democratic country should take the rule of law seriously rather than turn justice into a spectacle.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
He rejects broadcasting the execution on rule-of-law grounds.
- Recorded on
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- People and groups discussed
- Pete Hegseth
More from this case
Read the full caseNational Review's editors back Trump's decision to stop the livestream
National Review
“But there is a difference between carrying out an execution and livestreaming an execution, and support for one does not necessitate support for the other. President Trump is right to draw the distinction he has.”Read statement
Pentagon says Hegseth is completely aligned with Trump's decision not to livestream
“spoke about the decision ... supports the President's decision, and they are completely aligned.”Read statement
Curtis calls the decision not to livestream "the right move"
“This is the right move, both for the loved ones of the victims and for the country”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Smith says the livestream makes a spectacle of justice". First published: 2026-10-09. Last updated: 2026-10-09. https://disputeindex.com/events/5339-smith-calls-the-planned-livestream-disturbing-and-says