Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Cabinet meeting, Camp David, Maryland, July 31, 2026 (CNN)
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I joined RTE Radio 1 and Times Radio on Friday to analyze US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s pursuit of a live-streamed execution of Capt. Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 personnel and injured 32 in Fort Hood, Texas in 2009.
While noting that Hasan should be punished for the mass killing, I emphasize that the Trump camp’s motives are far beyond this.
There are the egos of Hegseth and Donald Trump, wanting to project their power and domination. There is an attempted diversion from the War on Iran and the Trumpist damage to the US military. There is the dog-whistle for animosity towards Muslims.
And there is the “spectacle of barbarity” in what would be the first public execution in the US since 1936.
Listen to RTE Radio 1
I tell David McCullagh:
Pete Hegseth is purging generals and commanders. He has insulted women and minorities. He has said he won’t promote them. He wants to make this his military: “This is my will being enforced.”
And the fellow in the White House also wants to show, “I’m the one in charge. I’m tough. I can execute a bit of vengeance.”
Listen to Times Radio
I joined the outlet on Friday morning to emphasize the desire of Hegseth and Trump for a spectacle to show their supposed power and domination.
