The damage to the US military in Iran is higher than the Defense Department is saying.
A public execution is what tyrannical regimes do to instill fear into their people. While this will be in the military justice system, by the US government killing someone, and intentionally showing it to the world, they are saying that they can come for you too, this is what will happen to you if you defy us. It’s a way to say violence against our enemies is okay, and if you challenge the regime, you will die. It gives a public nod to the acceptability of violence. Taking steps in the direction of tyranny is bad. If an execution is warranted, let’s do it in private, then calmly report the results of justice, not give a gory public display of state violence.