October 28, 2026
Colorado Faith Leaders Thank the Trump Administration for Canceling the Proposed Public Execution and Call for Commutation of Death Sentence
We were saddened and deeply troubled when the U.S. Defense Secretary, Peter Hegseth, proposed to publicly execute U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan via livestream. Maj. Hasan committed horrific crimes, but the severity of his crimes does not justify a very public spectacle of his execution. We’re gratified that President Trump rejected that reprehensible proposal, and we pray that he remains committed to his decision.
For decades, we have fervently advocated against capital punishment, maintaining that the taking of human life by the state diminishes the moral fabric of society, forecloses the possibility of divine redemption, and perpetuates cycles of violence. We rejoiced in 2020 when Colorado abolished the death penalty thanks to the work of a broad coalition of concerned citizens and a bipartisan group of legislators.
The Colorado Council of Churches urges the Trump Administration to go one step further. In addition to forgoing the public execution, Maj. Hasan’s sentence should be commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We call on all people of conscience to reject the death penalty in all forms and work toward restorative justice, peace, and national healing.
