Donald Trump Cancels Plans to Livestream Execution of Fort Hood Attacker Nidal Hasan
US President Donald Trump has called off plans to publicly broadcast the execution of former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad. The decision follows substantial domestic and international backlash after the US Department of Defense previously announced it would stream the event online.
Hasan was convicted of fatally shooting 13 unarmed military personnel and injuring 32 others at a military base in Texas in 2009. His execution, scheduled for 3 December 2026, will mark the first US military execution in more than 60 years.
Trump Cites Public Reaction for Reversal
Explaining his decision in a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that "many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die." While maintaining his support for the death penalty, the president indicated he had previously viewed the stream as a potential deterrent.
"I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan," Trump wrote. He confirmed that while the broadcast is cancelled, Hasan "will die, as scheduled, by firing squad."
Trump added that family members of the victims will still be permitted to attend the execution in person if they choose to do so, stating that "they deserve to witness JUSTICE!" Prior to the cancellation, Vice-President JD Vance had expressed doubt over whether the streaming would take place and stated that he would not watch it.
International Backlash and Pentagon Response
The initial plan to broadcast the execution drew rapid condemnation from international bodies and human rights organizations. The United Nations described the livestreaming proposal as "abhorrent." According to data from Amnesty International, while over 2,700 executions occurred across 17 countries last year, only two nations carried out executions publicly, with documented public executions taking place in Iran and Afghanistan in 2025.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had initially defended the public broadcast, stating that people needed to understand the serious consequences of such actions. However, following Trump's announcement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that Hegseth had spoken with the president beforehand.
"The Secretary supports the President's decision, and they are completely aligned," Parnell stated.
Defense Lawyer Criticizes Initial Decision and Military Process
John Galligan, a lawyer representing Hasan primarily on civil issues, stated that Trump's decision to halt the livestream came as no surprise. Galligan criticized the initial plan put forward by Hegseth, stating that streaming any execution violated the Army's own regulations.
Galligan noted that Hasan is paralysed from the chest down, a fact he claimed Trump was allegedly unaware of when first approving the plan. He added that the initial broadcast plan had already inflicted damage and would remain a stain on the military justice system, noting it was unclear if Hasan had been informed of the decision to cancel the broadcast.
The 2009 shooting occurred on 5 November in a crowded medical facility at Fort Hood, where deploying soldiers were undergoing medical check-ups. It stands as the deadliest non-combat attack on a US military base. During his 2013 court martial, Hasan admitted to the shootings, stated he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and apologized for any mistakes. Under US military law, a military execution requires both appellate review by a higher court and final approval from the US president before proceeding.
