WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 15, 2026 — President Donald Trump has canceled a controversial Pentagon plan to livestream the scheduled execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army major convicted of killing 13 people during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas.
Trump announced the decision on Thursday, confirming that Hasan’s execution by firing squad would not be broadcast to the public. The announcement reversed a proposal introduced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had argued that making the execution public could demonstrate the consequences of carrying out a deadly attack against American military personnel.
Although the livestream has been canceled, the execution remains scheduled for December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, subject to any developments that could affect the timetable. Trump also said the immediate families of the victims would have the opportunity to witness the execution in person if they wished.
Trump Explains Why the Broadcast Was Canceled
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged that broadcasting the execution might have served as a deterrent but said many Americans would prefer not to watch someone die.
The president maintained that Hasan would still face the scheduled punishment, while making clear that the government would not stream the event for public viewing.
The decision followed several days of debate over whether a military execution should be broadcast online. Trump had previously indicated that he was considering arguments on both sides before reaching a final decision.
According to CBS News, the White House announcement came after the proposal attracted criticism from lawmakers, military figures and other public commentators.
How Hegseth’s Proposal Sparked Controversy
Hegseth revealed the livestream plan during an interview with political commentator Jack Posobiec the previous week. He said the public should understand that serious consequences follow attacks of this nature.
The proposal quickly generated criticism, including from figures within the president’s own political coalition. Opponents questioned whether broadcasting a person's death would serve a legitimate public purpose or risk turning a solemn military proceeding into a spectacle.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concern that footage of the execution could potentially be used as propaganda or a recruitment tool by extremist groups. Vice President JD Vance also indicated that he would not watch the event.
Retired Army Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland, who had previously approved Hasan’s execution, criticized the livestream proposal as well. He argued that publicly broadcasting the event could resemble the propaganda tactics used by extremist organizations.
These objections intensified the debate over whether the execution should be carried out privately, even among people who supported enforcing Hasan’s death sentence.
What Happened at Fort Hood in 2009?
The case dates back to November 5, 2009, when Hasan opened fire at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood, Texas, where military personnel were preparing for deployment.
The attack killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, according to published reports. Hasan, then an Army psychiatrist and major, was subsequently convicted by a military court of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder.
Police officers responding to the shooting wounded Hasan, leaving him paralyzed. His case became one of the most consequential criminal proceedings in modern U.S. military history.
In August 2013, a military jury sentenced him to death. The sentence remained in place as military authorities moved toward carrying it out.
When Is the Execution Scheduled?
The Pentagon announced that Hasan’s execution by firing squad was scheduled for December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood.
If carried out as planned, the execution would be a rare event in U.S. military history. The last military execution took place in 1961, while the military’s last use of a firing squad for an execution was in 1945, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
However, the scheduled date could still be affected by legal proceedings or other developments. The cancellation of the livestream does not, by itself, mean that the execution has been postponed or canceled.
Public Reaction and the Debate Over Broadcasting Executions
The decision has brought renewed attention to the ethics of public executions and the role of government in presenting punishment to the public.
Supporters of Hegseth’s original proposal argued that broadcasting the event could demonstrate the consequences of a deadly attack. Critics countered that a livestream could expose viewers to disturbing material and potentially provide extremist groups with footage they could exploit.
A Washington Post–ABC News–Ipsos poll published on October 15 found that approximately 80% of Americans opposed livestreaming Hasan’s execution. The same poll found that 53% supported carrying out the death sentence by firing squad.
The figures suggest that public opinion on the method of punishment and the decision to broadcast it are separate questions. Someone could support the sentence while opposing a public livestream.
What Happens Next?
For now, the central decision is settled: the execution will not be livestreamed under Trump’s announced plan. The president has maintained the scheduled punishment while rejecting the public broadcast proposed by Hegseth.
The Pentagon has also stated that Hegseth supports the president’s decision and that the two officials are aligned on the matter.
Attention will now turn to whether the December 3 execution proceeds as scheduled and whether any further legal developments affect the case.
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