International
Trump Cancels Plan to Livestream Fort Hood Shooter’s Execution
The US president reverses the Pentagon’s livestream proposal after bipartisan criticism, but Nidal Malik Hasan’s firing-squad execution remains scheduled for December 3.
US President Donald Trump has reversed plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former US Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people during a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Trump announced the decision on Thursday, October 15, following criticism from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, religious leaders, survivors and human rights advocates who opposed broadcasting the execution to the public.
The execution remains scheduled for December 3, 2026, by firing squad at Fort Hood. Trump said the event would not be livestreamed, although immediate family members of the victims would be permitted to attend in person if they wished. <Cite refs={["turn389614news29","turn389614news30","turn389614search3"]}/>
Trump Reverses Livestream Decision
The proposal to broadcast Hasan’s execution was announced by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who argued that allowing the public to watch would demonstrate the consequences of violent attacks.
Trump initially supported the idea, suggesting that a livestream might serve as a deterrent to future attacks. However, he later acknowledged that many people would prefer not to watch an execution.
The president’s reversal followed growing opposition from politicians across party lines and religious leaders who questioned the morality and public interest of broadcasting a state execution.
Critics also warned that the footage could be exploited for extremist propaganda or turn the execution into a spectacle rather than a judicial proceeding.
Political and Religious Leaders Raise Concerns
The proposed livestream drew objections from several prominent figures, including Vice-President JD Vance and senior religious leaders.
Some lawmakers argued that broadcasting the execution could provide propaganda material to extremist groups, while others questioned whether public viewing was compatible with the dignity of the justice system.
The controversy generated debate over whether a livestream would serve a legitimate deterrent purpose or risk glorifying violence.
Despite the opposition, the Trump administration has maintained that Hasan’s death sentence should be carried out.
Hasan Convicted in 2009 Fort Hood Shooting
Hasan was convicted in 2013 of killing 13 people and attempting to murder 32 others in the November 5, 2009, attack at Fort Hood, a US Army installation in Texas.
The former Army major and psychiatrist opened fire on military personnel at the base, making the incident one of the deadliest attacks on a US military installation.
A military jury sentenced him to death after finding him guilty of the offences. His conviction and sentence subsequently went through the military appeals process.
The Army announced that the execution had been scheduled for December 3, 2026, following presidential approval of the death sentence. <Cite refs={["turn389614search1","turn389614search0"]}/>
Execution Still Scheduled for December
Although Trump has cancelled the livestream, the planned firing-squad execution remains on the schedule announced by the Army.
If carried out, it would be the first US military execution since 1961 and the first military execution by firing squad since 1945.
The date could still be affected by further legal proceedings. For now, the administration’s decision means the execution will not be broadcast publicly, while eligible immediate family members of victims may attend in person.
