New proposal would ban future presidents from livestreaming military executions

NewsThe U.S. Capitol is seen Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Washington.AP Photo/Mariam ZuhaibBy Kayode Crown | kcrown@al.comA congressman filed a bill to ensure no future president can livestream a military execution.U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman, a Democrat from Virginia, introduced the American Integrity Act on Oct. 15 after President Donald Trump announced the execution of former Army officer Nidal Hasan would not be livestreamed.Hasan killed 13 people and wounded 32 others in the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, a military base in Killeen, Texas. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had on Oct. 8 said Hasan’s Dec. 3 execution by firing squad would be livestreamed.Vindman, who served as an Army Judge Advocate General officer and oversaw the post-trial matters in the Hasan case, had voiced opposition to the plan.“I believed then, and I believe now, that he should face the fullest consequences of the law,” he said in a statement.“Live-streaming executions is what terrorists and authoritarian regimes do. The American justice system must uphold the rule of law and the dignity of our institutions. My legislation will ensure that no future administration can turn an execution into a televised spectacle.” Vindman’s bill co-sponsors are Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna of California, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire, and George Whitesides of California.Kayode Crown covers trending news and national stories, with a focus on money, federal benefits, military contracts, space news, collectibles and government programs that affect readers across the country. He...