US President Donald Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the execution of former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 soldiers in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Trump announced the decision on Thursday following growing criticism of the proposal to broadcast Hasan’s death by firing squad. The president had previously supported the idea, arguing that showing the execution could deter future acts of terrorism. However, he later acknowledged concerns raised by people who opposed making the event publicly accessible.
“Many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die,” Trump said.
He maintained that the execution would proceed as scheduled but confirmed that it would not be streamed.
“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 said, reiterating his earlier position on the proposed broadcast.
“He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed,” he added.
Trump also said the victims’ families would be allowed to witness the execution in person, declaring that they deserved to see justice served.
Pentagon Sets December Execution Date
The Pentagon announced last week that Hasan’s execution had been scheduled for December 3, 2026, by firing squad. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously said the execution would be livestreamed, arguing that the public needed to understand the consequences of such attacks. Vice-President JD Vance, however, had expressed uncertainty about whether the broadcast would take place and said he would not watch it.
Hasan carried out the shooting on November 5, 2009, at a crowded medical building on the Fort Hood military base, where soldiers preparing for deployment were undergoing medical checks and receiving vaccinations. He killed 13 unarmed US soldiers and injured another 32 in what became the deadliest non-combat attack on an American military installation.
Hasan admitted during his 2013 court-martial that he was responsible for the shooting and apologised for what he described as “any mistakes”. He said he believed he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan from the US military.
His planned execution would be the first military execution in the United States in more than 60 years. Under US military law, an execution requires presidential approval and appellate review to determine whether the legal requirements have been satisfied.
Trump’s decision to cancel the livestream follows renewed debate over whether executions should be made public as a deterrent and the ethical concerns surrounding their broadcast. The execution remains scheduled for December 3, although it will not be streamed online.
