US President Donald Trump has scrapped plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former US Army major convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas. The decision reverses a controversial proposal announced by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, which would have allowed the public to watch Hasan’s execution by firing squad. The execution remains scheduled for 3 December 2026, although potential legal challenges could affect the timetable.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, carried out the deadly attack on 5 November 2009 at Fort Hood, where soldiers were gathered at a medical processing facility. He killed 13 people and wounded 32 others. A military jury convicted him of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in 2013, and he was sentenced to death. The attack remains one of the deadliest shootings on a US military installation.
The proposed livestream sparked widespread criticism from both Republican and Democratic politicians, religious leaders and members of the public. Critics questioned the morality of broadcasting an execution and warned that the footage could glorify violence, fuel extremist propaganda or encourage copycat attacks. Vice-President JD Vance expressed reservations, while senior religious figures also condemned the proposal. The controversy intensified concerns over whether broadcasting a state execution would be an appropriate or effective way to deter serious crime.
Announcing the reversal on Thursday, Trump acknowledged that although he believed broadcasting the execution might deter terrorism, many people would prefer not to watch someone die. He confirmed that Hasan would still face execution by firing squad, but the event would not be streamed. Families of the victims will be permitted to witness the execution in person if they choose. The decision closes one of the most contentious debates surrounding the administration’s approach to capital punishment, while leaving broader questions about the purpose, ethics and public presentation of the death penalty unresolved.
