The Live Streaming Of a Public Execution | With Fort Hood Massacre Survivor Alonzo Lunsford

Oct 13, 2026

Guest

Damien Echols

Alonzo Lunsford, a wounded Fort Hood survivor, joins commentators Andrew Wilson, Wajahat Ali, John Fugelsang and Wajahat Ali to debate a proposed livestreamed execution. They clash over deterrence, vengeance, religion and whether punishment becomes propaganda when broadcast. Wrongfully convicted former death-row prisoner Damien Echols discusses trauma, exoneration and the irreversible danger of capital punishment.

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INSIGHT

A Public Execution Could Create A Martyr

Livestreaming Hasan’s execution could transform lawful punishment into the martyrdom spectacle he sought.
Piers Morgan argues public execution undermines America’s criticism of ISIS propaganda killings.

ANECDOTE

The Survivor Who Rejects Execution Entertainment

Alonzo Lunsford, shot seven times at Fort Hood, supports Hasan’s execution but rejects turning it into entertainment.
He warns that children may interpret violent footage as glory or amusement.

INSIGHT

Public Executions Can Fuel Extremist Propaganda

Wajahat Ali says public executions signal authoritarian control rather than civilized justice.
He argues the spectacle could intensify anti-Americanism and extremist recruitment, especially because Hasan was Muslim.

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Seventeen years after the Fort Hood massacre, the planned livestream of Nidal Hasan’s execution by firing squad is raising difficult questions about justice, vengeance and the dangers of turning punishment into spectacle.

Hasan, a former US Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and wounded 32 in the 2009 attack on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. Now, War Secretary Pete Hegseth says the execution will be public, marking the first public execution in the United States in 90 years.

Announcing the decision to Jack Posobiec, Hegseth described the firing squad as a demonstration of the consequences of attacking American service members.

But the decision has opened up a wider debate. Could a public execution intended to demonstrate the severity of justice instead give Hasan the notoriety he craves - transforming his death into a spectacle and, in his own eyes, a martyrdom?

After years of condemning the public executions staged and filmed by Islamist terror groups, America now faces an uncomfortable question: what does it achieve by making an execution a global event?

This is the case for justice - and the risks of turning it into a show.

Joining the show to debate is survivor of the Fort Hood shooting, Alonzo Lunsford, host of The Crucible, Andrew Wilson, author of ‘Separation of Church & Hate’, John Fugelsang and host of Democracy-Ish, Wajahat Ali.

Piers Morgan also speaks with host of Drop Dead Serious, Ashleigh Banfield, and wrongly convicted member of the ‘West Memphis Three’, Damien Echols.

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:03:25) Alonso Lunsford, survivor of the Fort Hood shooting

(00:07:19) Wajahat Ali condemns plan for a “public spectacle”

(00:11:02) Andrew Wilson makes the case for a live streamed execution

(00:14:25) John Fugelsang calls Pete Hegseth 'unchristian'

(00:21:29) Alonso Lunsford on “forgiving” Nidal Hasan

(00:27:58) Wajahat Ali on the botched Christa Pike execution

(00:31:12) Andrew Wilson argues for firing squads

(00:37:27) Pope Leo’s comments

(00:40:20) Alonso Lunsford plans to attend the execution

(00:43:10) Ilhan Omar’s home raided

(00:49:58) Ashleigh Banfield discusses death penalty

(00:57:12) Damien Echols, one of the ‘West Memphis Three’

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