Trump scraps live broadcast of Nidal Hasan execution after bipartisan criticism
Donald Trump said the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood, Texas, will still take place on 3 December but will not be streamed live. The reversal follows criticism from both parties, including Vice President JD Vance.
Trump reverses course
On Thursday, 15 October, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan would not be shown live. The sentenced attacker is still scheduled to be executed on 3 December at Fort Hood, a military base in Texas. Trump said many very good and well-meaning people did not want to watch the man die. He added that a public broadcast could have had a deterrent effect, but the execution will not be shown live. Immediate relatives of the victims may attend in person if they wish.
- Pete Hegseth announces a public execution in an interview with Real America's Voice
- Trump says a broadcast could possibly prevent further violence
- Trump announces the execution will not be streamed live
- Scheduled date of the execution at Fort Hood, Texas
How the plan developed
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the plan on 8 October in an interview with the conservative broadcaster Real America's Voice, saying the execution should take place in public. A Pentagon representative later confirmed to ABC News that a firing squad would carry out the execution and that it would be streamed live. Hegseth justified the step by saying people must understand that such acts carry serious consequences, according to dpa. On Saturday, 10 October, Trump had said a broadcast could possibly prevent further acts of violence.
Criticism across party lines
The announcement drew criticism from both parties in the United States. Vice President JD Vance said he had doubts and would not watch the broadcast. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops also spoke out against the plan. Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that the planned livestream had drawn criticism around the world before Trump reversed course.
Historical context
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, the US military has not carried out a death sentence since 1961, so the planned execution would be the first military execution in 65 years. The last execution by a military firing squad came during the Second World War. The last publicly held execution in the United States took place in Kentucky in 1936, and public executions were gradually abolished afterwards.