The planned execution of Nidal Hasan, the gunman responsible for the tragic 2009 Fort Hood shooting, will not be livestreamed, President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday, October 15. This decision follows a wave of bipartisan criticism and concerns from people affected by the mass shooting.
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Last week, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that Hasan’s execution would take place in a “public” setting, sparking statements from a Pentagon spokesperson suggesting that the event would be broadcast live. Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood. During the 2009 tragedy, he killed 13 individuals and injured 32 others. He was convicted on numerous counts of murder and attempted murder at a court-martial in August 2013, and he is currently paralysed from the waist down after being shot by law enforcement officers during the incident.
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump advocated for the potential benefits of broadcasting the execution, arguing it could serve as a significant deterrent by demonstrating how the United States handles terrorists. However, he acknowledged the reservations expressed by many, stating, “many very good and well-meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device.”
He emphasised that while the execution will proceed as planned, it will not be streamed. He noted that the immediate families of the victims will be permitted to attend the event if they wish, stating, “They deserve to witness JUSTICE!”
In a recent interview on October 7 with right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, Secretary Hegseth mentioned that making the execution public was essential in sending a strong message about the consequences of such actions. Following this revelation, Vice President JD Vance expressed scepticism regarding the livestreaming in discussions with reporters, indicating that he would not be interested in witnessing the event.
Some survivors of Hasan’s attack have shared their discomfort with the idea of the execution being broadcast live to the public. Alonzo Lunsford, who survived the shooting after being hit multiple times, stated he supported the execution but felt that livestreaming it would reduce the act to a spectacle. “I don’t want this to be viewed upon as a spectacle, like a pay-per-view event, or like going to a basketball tournament,” Lunsford remarked.
The backlash against the livestreaming plan has not been limited to survivors; it has also resonated with lawmakers across the political spectrum. Republican Representative Austin Scott from Georgia reaffirmed his support for the death penalty but condemned the idea of broadcasting the execution, likening it to practices associated with jihadists. He voiced on social media that “America is better than that.”
Democratic Representative Adam Smith of Washington also expressed his disapproval, emphasising that treating the execution as a spectacle undermines the seriousness of the legal system. He remarked that the approach is “disturbing” and called for a more respectful attitude towards judicial proceedings in a democratic society.
If the execution proceeds on the scheduled date, it would mark a historic moment in military justice, being the first execution carried out by the U.S. military since 1961, and the first by firing squad since 1945. Hasan has characterised the shootings he committed as an act of jihad, claiming his attack was motivated by his opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the debate over how to handle Hasan’s execution continues, it raises significant questions about the balance between justice and the dignity of the process. With intense emotions surrounding the event, it remains crucial to consider the perspectives of the survivors, victims’ families, and wider society as the date approaches.