“8 out of 10 Americans oppose live broadcast of execution of gunman who committed suicide at U.S. military base”

(Washington = Yonhap News) Correspondent Park Seong-min = A public opinion poll showed that 8 out of 10 Americans are opposed to live broadcasting the firing squad execution of the shooter at a U.S. military base.

On the 15th (local time), the Washington Post (WP), ABC News, and Ipsos, a public opinion polling company, announced the results of an online poll conducted on 2,545 American adults from the 9th to the 13th.

Although 53% of respondents were in favor of the execution by firing squad itself, which was more than 42% opposed (42%), 80% of respondents were opposed to live broadcasting the execution by firing squad. Only 18% were in favor of live broadcasting.

Even among respondents who supported execution by firing squad, 69% were opposed to live broadcasting, and 67% of those with military service experience expressed their opposition.

Republicans were also more likely to disapprove (64%) than approve (34%), and Democrats were overwhelmingly opposed (91%).

The only group that was more in favor of live broadcasting firing squads than against was MAGA men (57% in favor, 42% against), who are strong supporters of President Donald Trump.

When looking only at the pros and cons of execution by firing squad, 72% of respondents with military service experience were in favor, and even among respondents without military service experience, the support (51%) was greater than the disapproval (43%).

There were clear differences in opinions by political party and gender. 80% of Republicans were in favor, but 64% of Democrats were against it. Among men, 60% were in favor, but among women, disapproval (47%) was slightly higher than approval (46%).

The target of execution by firing squad is Nidal Malik Hassan, who killed 13 people by shooting at Fort Hood, a U.S. military base in Texas, in 2009. The execution is scheduled for December. Hassan, who was a military doctor (major) at the time, was found to have committed 'spontaneous terrorism' while suffering from stress ahead of his deployment to Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, President Trump approved Hassan's execution by firing squad at the recommendation of Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth. This is the first time since World War II that the U.S. military has carried out executions by firing squad.

Hasan's execution by firing squad has become controversial in the United States since Minister Hegseth announced on the 9th that he would broadcast the execution process live.

Opponents say that firing squad executions themselves are inhumane, but broadcasting them live is excessive, and are concerned that it could further stimulate Islamic extremists who are hostile to the United States.

President Trump initially appeared to be in favor of live broadcasting executions by firing squad, but is subtly changing his stance as opposition grows.

Axios, an American Internet media outlet, reported on the 12th that he recently told an aide that the live broadcast "may not go ahead."