Statement by Governor Sherrill on Trump Administration Plan for Public Execution of Fort Hood Shooter

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A factual summary is pending editorial review. The complete official release is reproduced below with issuer attribution and a direct link to the original publication.

Official release

Source material from New Jersey Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

"There has been a lot of discussion about Hegseth's plan to publicly execute Nidal Hasan, but not enough about what this means. Nidal Hasan killed 13 innocent soldiers and deserves to be brought to justice. But a televised public spectacle of an execution is contrary to the values that this nation stands for and that I took oaths to protect. It is hard to understand how Congress has not called an emergency session to block it.

"One aspect of this in particular keeps me up at night: the horror of detailing soldiers to be in the firing squad. Most veterans like myself are unfamiliar with firing squads because our military hasn't used one in over 80 years. From my understanding, they are usually made up of three to seven personnel, with some rifles being loaded with blanks to 'reduce psychological harm.'

"I think about my own kids serving in the military, and I imagine a young service member getting detailed to the firing squad, feeling they have to follow orders despite any moral objection or personal opposition. Just about anyone who has served in combat can tell you about the toll it takes. This is different and worse: firing on someone for the public spectacle of it.

"It infuriates me that, in an ode to Trump and Hegseth's warped view of toughness, the United States would sanction a military firing squad simply for the pageantry of it — no matter how it harms our service members. It is disgusting that this Administration is essentially glorifying violence and death by firearm — something we already have too much of in this country. It infuriates me to think of all the Members of Congress who have thanked me for my service on Veterans Day, but have said nothing about this and refuse to hold Trump and Hegseth accountable. It infuriates me that soldiers will be scarred for life if this goes forward — for no other reason beyond Pete Hegseth's vanity.

"I imagine the young person getting detailed to the firing squad and doing their duty, following their orders. And I think of the lasting impact that will have on them. I just wish the two men in charge of our military cared half as much about the men and women who serve as they do about themselves."

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Release text attributed to New Jersey Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.