U.S. Defense Secretary Hagel has caused trouble for Trump again.
On October 14th local time, CNN reported that U.S. President Donald Trump and his advisors were discussing whether to cancel the live broadcast of the execution of Nidal Hassan, the perpetrator of the Fort Hood shooting incident.
On the same day, the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) further noted that Trump had consulted with several advisors and allies. The White House is concerned that this public execution could not only serve as material for anti-American propaganda, but also put the U.S. government in a situation where it would be involved in a scandal that could damage the country's image.
The source of this turmoil was the live broadcast plan that Hergeseth had previously announced.
As soon as the news of a live execution was announced, members of both parties criticized it. Some within the Republican Party also openly opposed it. With the midterm elections approaching in November, the Republican Party is under pressure to retain its slim majority in Congress. Previously, the war in Iran had caused dissatisfaction among many voters and Republican supporters. Recent polls show that more than half of Americans support the impeachment of Hagersey.
Hegeorge's obsession with brute force masked military strategic failure, according to the New York Times, in a statement that was both forceful and inflammatory.
By now, many people are wondering: How long will Trump tolerate Hagersees?
On the 14th, a article in the American magazine Foreign Policy stated that Hessel has become Trump's "political burden". It is likely that he will leave without even having to wait for the impeachment process to be completed.
The incident began on October 8th.
On that day, Hagee announced that Nidal Hassan would be executed at Fort Hood Base in Texas on December 3rd, with the execution being broadcast live across the internet. Hassan was the perpetrator of the Fort Hood shooting incident in 2009; he killed 13 people and injured more than 30 others. He is currently paralyzed.
In this regard, Hergeseth's explanation is meant to serve as a warning: "People need to understand that such actions will lead to serious consequences."
According to reports, live executions have been rare in modern America: the last public execution dates back to 1936, with about 20,000 people watching; the last military execution was in 1961. Even globally, few countries conduct live executions.
Photo of death row inmate Nidal Hassan
As soon as this news came out, opposition voices started rising one after another.
The New York Times reported on the 9th that many Republicans in the country have rarely stood with Democrats, criticizing this plan. Some lawmakers compared it to the actions of terrorist organizations. Critics generally believe that turning executions into public shows not only fails to serve as an effective deterrent, but may also corrupt society and provide ammunition for anti-American propaganda.
Public pressure has reached Europe and Australia. Pope Leo XIV also spoke unusually, reiterating that this action is "unacceptable."
"Gregor's bloodlust could not conceal his military failures." 13th, the New York Times columnist, retired Navy SEAL Phil Klep pointed out that Trump administration has released a large number of Caribbean ship explosion and Middle East air strike videos on social media, even with AI-generated celebratory slaughter footage, by portraying killing as entertainment.
The article states that public executions and tough measures ultimately cannot hide strategic failures. Real military generals do not speak in such a way.
However, this is just the latest trouble caused by Hegseith. Many American media have taken the opportunity to bring up old issues: damaging relations with European allies, drastically reducing the senior leadership of the Pentagon without providing any reasons, and causing a lot of fuss through leaked messages in groups…
For congressional Republicans, this drama only adds to the mess.
As the mid-term elections approach in November, Republicans are making every effort to retain their slim majority in Congress. Previously, voters were already dissatisfied with the war against Iran, and a series of controversies involving Hagersees has left them overwhelmed, making it difficult for them to distance themselves from his militaristic stance. The idea of live executions has once again pushed the Republicans into an awkward political debate.
In this regard, Utah Republican Senator John Curtis warned that turning executions into entertainment can corrupt a civilization. North Carolina Republican Senator Tom Tiles said that this decision is “extremely disgusting”.
September 11th, Trump and Hagee attended the 25th anniversary ceremony for the 9/11 attacks. Visual China
In fact, as early as September 15th, Thomas Massie, a Republican congressman, proposed an impeachment resolution against Hagersey.
The magazine Foreign Policy mentioned that Mace was a " Marginal Figure" who was about to step down from office and had long been at odds with Trump. Initially, no one took him seriously. However, the next day (September 16), House Speaker Johnson suddenly called for a recess, which lasted until after the mid-term elections. It was widely interpreted that Johnson was trying to avoid putting the impeachment case against Hagee to a full vote.
American Vice President Vance and House Speaker Johnson have stated that they will not watch the live broadcast.
Trump's own stance remains vague, but he has started to soften. On the 10th, he publicly said in Texas that Hassan "deserved what he got." A Pentagon spokesman also confirmed that the live broadcast plan was proposed by Hagel and approved by Trump. However, when asked whether he wanted a live broadcast, Trump was vague. Later, he further softened his stance, saying "there is no final decision yet."
Local time on the 14th revealed that Trump's concerns were growing.
According to ABC and CNN, Trump is discussing with his advisors whether to cancel the live broadcast. Sources say that within the White House, there are concerns that a live broadcast could " greatly fuel anti-American propaganda," and some worry it could turn into a "farce that damages America's image." Others have pointed out that a public execution could be exploited by terrorists to portray Hassan as a "martyr."
It is reported that Trump privately stated that he initially had no knowledge of Hassan’s paralysis below the waist.
Currently, the topic in Washington has evolved from "whether live broadcasting should be done" to "how long will Haggess still be able to carry out this task".
In an article published on the 14th, Foreign Policy stated: "Hagel only focuses on showmanship and ignores substance; he should take a permanent leave of absence." The article reviewed a series of issues involving his damage to relations with European allies, leaks in group chats, and the Iran war, considering live executions another instance of excessive behavior.
Of course, the most fatal factor is unfavorable military circumstances. As early as August this year, media reported that there were signs indicating that Hegseith might have to take responsibility for the war in Iran, and the risk of losing his job was increasing.
A previous Reuters poll showed that 80% of respondents believed the involvement of the United States in the Iran conflict would continue for a long time, while only 16% believed the conflict might end within a few weeks. Only 20% of respondents believed this war was “worth it,” and among Republican voters, only half held this view.
A recent poll by The Economist showed that 51% of Americans supported the impeachment of Hagedes, including 22% of Republicans. The Iran war is highly unpopular among many Republicans, and dissatisfaction has even spread to the MAGA crowd.
As a symbol of a war that is increasingly losing the support of its followers, Hegel’s reputation is becoming more and more like a political burden,” noted an article in Foreign Policy. It stated that Trump now realizes that his "failed, unending new war" is a burden.
Of course, there is no final decision yet. Trump is still considering whether the live broadcast will be canceled or significantly reduced in scale.
However, with mid-term elections approaching and the Republican Party under pressure, the space for the Defense Secretary to continue high-profile “showmanship” is rapidly shrinking. Nowadays, it wouldn’t surprise Washington's political observers if Johgseth becomes Trump’s “scapegoat” in the Iran issue.
"Ultimately, perhaps there was no need for a formal censure of the proceedings, as Heche Gise would be dealt with anyway."
