Brendan Carr says he’ll let Pete Hegseth decide whether TV networks can air the public execution

FCC chairman Brendan Carr said he will defer to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on whether TV networks can air the planned execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad.

The Pentagon has said the execution will be livestreamed, suggesting it’ll appear on an online platform beyond the FCC’s jurisdiction. But it’s common for broadcast TV networks to air live video of government events, and Carr’s agency does have a say over what happens on public airwaves.

“My understanding is it’s not on broadcast TV, so I don’t think there’s a role for the FCC one way or the other,” Carr said in a CNBC interview today. “But I trust Secretary Hegseth. He’s implemented the laws and the regulations that are relevant to the Department of War, and I think he’s doing a great job, and I trust that he’s making the right call on these issues.”

When asked if the execution would be allowed on broadcast TV if the Defense Department wanted it, Carr said it would be Hegseth’s choice. “Ultimately we’re going to defer to Secretary Hegseth and his decisions on how to move forward with this,” Carr said.

The Verge has asked major tech companies whether they will allow the execution livestream on their platforms. As of this writing, YouTube, Twitch, Meta, and X haven’t responded to requests for comment.