Trump cancels broadcast of the execution of the Fort Hood shooter

The key facts

Trump cancelled the broadcast of Hasan's execution, but the execution itself by firing squad on December 3, 2026 remains in force
The broadcast plan was previously announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; the UN, both parties and more than 40 generals and admirals criticized it
This will be the first US military execution in more than 60 years — since 1961

Trump cancels the online broadcast of the execution

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, that the execution of Nidal Hasan, who carried out the shooting at the Fort Hood base in Texas in 2009, will not be streamed online. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that the broadcast 'could have been a strong deterrent, letting the world see how America deals with terrorists and SCUM like Hasan,' but that 'many very good and kind people would prefer not to watch him die.' According to Trump, Hasan 'will die, as planned, by firing squad, but the event will not be broadcast.' The President added that the immediate families of the victims will be able to attend the execution in person if they wish: 'They deserve to see JUSTICE!'

Context of the execution

Hasan, a former US Army psychiatrist with the rank of major, opened fire on November 5, 2009 in a crowded medical building where soldiers were waiting for vaccinations and medical examinations before deployment. According to DW, he shouted 'Allahu akbar' during the shooting. Thirteen unarmed service members were killed and 32 more were wounded — the deadliest non-combat attack on an American military base. At trial in 2013, Hasan admitted to being the shooter and said he was defending Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan from the US Army. After his arrest he was shot in the back and paralyzed below the waist, and moves in a wheelchair. The execution is scheduled for December 3, 2026 at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas and will be the first military execution in more than 60 years: in 1961 John Bennett was hanged for rape and attempted murder. Under US military law, an execution requires the president's approval.

Criticism of the broadcast plan

The broadcast plan was announced last week by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said in a video on X: 'We will make sure people can see it, so that it is public.' He defended the decision, saying that 'people should understand that there are serious consequences for such things.' However, this was followed by a wave of criticism from human rights groups, lawmakers from both parties and the international community. The UN called the plans 'abhorrent.' Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson said the broadcast could become 'a recruitment tool for future terrorists.' Dozens of retired military personnel, including more than 40 generals and admirals, published an open letter warning that the broadcast would 'disgrace the honor of the army' and 'make Hasan a martyr.' According to Amnesty International, of more than 2,700 executions in 17 countries last year, only 11 in Iran and 6 in Afghanistan were public.

The Vice President's position and the Pentagon's reaction

Vice President JD Vance had earlier expressed doubt that the broadcast would take place and said he would not watch it: 'Whatever the debate about the method of execution, I hope people will not forget that this is a person who brutally killed many innocent people.' On Friday, before the cancellation, Trump said he 'absolutely' approved of the broadcast, adding that the Pentagon was 'still making a decision,' and called Hasan 'completely crazy.' After the cancellation was announced, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth had spoken with the president in advance: 'The Secretary supports the president's decision, they are fully in agreement.'

Reaction of Hasan's lawyer

John Galligan, Hasan's lawyer, who works primarily on civil matters, told the BBC that the cancellation of the broadcast 'was not a surprise.' According to him, 'this was originally a foolish decision and statement by Hegseth — to broadcast any execution — and it violated the army's own regulations.' He noted that Hasan is paralyzed below the chest, which Trump, according to Galligan, 'allegedly did not even know' when approving the broadcast. 'The damage has already been done — the army is now simply trying to fix the mess. This will forever remain a stain on our system of military justice,' the lawyer said. He added that it is unknown whether Hasan already knows about the cancellation of the broadcast.