Letter to Congress Requesting Congressional Oversight
October 9th, 2026
United States Senate
United States House of Representatives
Subject: Request for Congressional Oversight
Dear Members of United States Congress,
We write regarding the announcement that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan will be public and subsequent reporting that the Department of Defense intends to livestream it. We are outraged that the Administration is considering live-streaming the execution by firing squad, and strongly urge members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct oversight as regards the issues raised below.
Transforming the exercise of the government’s gravest power into a broadcast spectacle raises profound constitutional, legal, and ethical questions, including under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishments. This letter focuses on Congressional oversight as a mechanism to investigate a distinct and urgent concern: whether the Administration intends to use the execution for commercial gain or partisan political propaganda, including to benefit President Trump, businesses associated with him or his family, or his political allies.
The atrocity committed at Fort Hood demands neither embellishment nor exploitation. The victims, survivors, and their families deserve respect. Their suffering must not become the raw material for a political advertisement, a revenue-generating broadcast, or a merchandising opportunity.
The Secretary and Department of Defense have not publicly explained the financial arrangements, distribution terms, audience-selection procedures, or safeguards that would govern this unprecedented broadcast. We urge you, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct oversight into whether public resources, military personnel, and the machinery of military justice are being enlisted to generate private profits or partisan advantage.
We suggest that the issues raised below be included:
Political planning and media consultation. Has the Defense Department, the White House, other Executive Department, or any other federal entity consulted political strategists, campaign personnel, media consultants, advertising agencies, public-relations firms, influencers, or other outside advisers about presenting, promoting, or distributing the execution? Have any of those discussions addressed the live stream’s potential use as a political advertisement, fundraising appeal, or campaign message? The participants, dates, purposes, compensation, and sources of payment, should be identified.
Pay-per-view and other monetization. Has any Defense Department or other Executive Department or Agency official or outside party proposed charging to watch the execution, whether through pay-per-view, subscriptions, premium access, licensing, sponsorships, advertising, or another mechanism? Identify all proposed recipients of revenue and provide any agreements, proposals, financial projections, or revenue-sharing arrangements.
Presidential and family business interests. Will the livestream or related content be distributed through Truth Social, Trump Media & Technology Group, or any other for-profit entity in which the President, a member of his family, an Administration official, or an associated business has a financial interest? Have such entities been offered exclusive access, preferential distribution, promotional assistance, or other commercial advantages? Describe the conflict-of-interest reviews and safeguards applied.
Campaign use. Will Republican candidates, party committees, political action committees, or other political organizations be invited, encouraged, authorized, or given advance access to republish the livestream or excerpts as campaign material? Have any officials discussed incorporating the footage into advertisements, fundraising solicitations, rallies, or social-media campaigns? Identify any comparable arrangements involving other political parties and explain what restrictions the government believes it can lawfully impose on partisan use of the footage.
Merchandise. Is the Department of Defense or any other Executive Department aware of proposals by the President, his businesses, family members, political committees, supporters, or contractors to sell merchandise “commemorating” the execution, including T-shirts, hats, photographs, recordings, or other products? Has any federal entity been asked to facilitate such sales, provide imagery or official insignia, or grant access for producing promotional materials? Identify the proposed beneficiaries and any government involvement.
In-person attendance and tickets. Who will be permitted to attend, under what legal authority, and according to what selection criteria? Will tickets, credentials, reserved seating, or access to related events be sold, auctioned, bundled with donations, or provided to campaign contributors, political supporters, business associates, influencers, or commercial partners? Provide any proposed guest lists, allocation procedures, and communications concerning preferential access.
Public expenditures and private benefits. What public funds, personnel, equipment, facilities, and contracts will support filming, production, promotion, distribution, security, and audience management? Identify the contractors and subcontractors, their selection procedures, and any financial or political relationships disclosed by them. Explain how the Defense Department and any other Executive Departments or Agencies involved will prevent taxpayer-funded activities from subsidizing private commercial ventures or campaign operations.
Legal review and safeguards. What written legal and ethics reviews have addressed commercialization, political coordination, conflicts of interest, use of appropriated funds, and the participation of military personnel? Identify the reviewing offices and provide their conclusions and any implementing directives, identifying the legal basis for any material withheld.
Whatever one’s position on capital punishment, the government’s authority to take a life cannot properly become a presidential business opportunity or a taxpayer-financed campaign production. We urge members of Congress to investigate any arrangements for public broadcast and expanded spectator attendance pending disclosure of the proposed safeguards and meaningful congressional review.
Sincerely,
Steven A. Cash
Executive Director, The Steady State
(212) 685-9660