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MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 11 OCTOBER 2026
The soldiers chosen for the Fort Hood shooter’s firing squad may have no way to opt out, and the Pentagon still wants the execution livestreamed.
Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down how military firing squads work and why he thinks this one should be volunteers only.
The last U.S. military firing squad, in January 1945, was drawn from the condemned soldier’s own regiment. Mike believes survivors and unit members would easily fill the 5–12 spots by volunteering, and that forcing anyone to pull the trigger is the wrong call. He also explains why livestreaming the execution hands extremists propaganda.
Also covered: a Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport that killed an American, and Trump saying the U.S. “may” join the fight. A U.S. fighter jet disabled a blockade runner in the Gulf of Oman. Mike asks whether the Iran blockade is working and whether crypto is keeping Tehran funded. The New York Times reports rising threats against public officials in both parties. The episode ends with a Sunday reflection.
Should soldiers be allowed to opt out of a firing squad?
Subscribe for daily breakdowns from a former Navy SEAL on the stories that matter to America’s military.
0:00 Fort Hood firing squad: soldiers may not get to opt out
0:25 How military firing squads work (and the last one, 1945)
1:40 Mike's take: volunteers, not orders
3:20 Answering your comments on the livestream
4:10 Why livestreaming it hands terrorists propaganda
6:15 Houthis kill an American in Riyadh airport strike
8:45 U.S. fighter jet disables an Iranian blockade runner
10:20 Is the Iran blockade actually working?
11:15 Is crypto keeping Iran funded?
12:05 NYT: threats against public officials are rising
14:25 Sunday reflection
Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland reads the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times so you don't have to. No cable news spin, no recycled talking points, just the actual front pages and a straight take on what they mean for you.
On Mike Drop Newsroom, Mike picks the day's biggest headlines, compares how two of the country's largest papers cover them, and says what he thinks. That covers everything from AI and national security to the economy, foreign policy and the stories cable TV skips. He's not here to push a party line. As Mike puts it, if you want to put a label on him, he's an American who wants to see America succeed.
Every episode ends with a question for you. Tell us where you land in the comments, because Mike reads them and your answers shape what we cover next. Subscribe so you don't miss a morning.
