President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he had not yet made a final decision regarding the potential live broadcast of Nidal Hasan’s execution. This statement from the White House contradicts an earlier announcement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had indicated the execution would be publicly livestreamed. President Trump emphasized that the ultimate decision rests with him, creating uncertainty around the public nature of the impending execution.
"I really don’t care how he goes, as long as he goes." President Donald Trump
The convicted Fort Hood shooter, Nidal Hasan, is scheduled for execution by firing squad on December 3 at 1 p.m. Hasan, a former Army major and psychiatrist, was found guilty in 2013 on 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder for the November 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. During the attack, Hasan opened fire inside a medical processing center, claiming the lives of 13 people and wounding dozens more. He later stated he targeted soldiers deploying to Afghanistan, believing they were participating in an illegal war.
Defense Secretary Hegseth had, on Thursday, publicly declared that Hasan’s execution would be made public and livestreamed. He articulated that such a broadcast would underscore that severe crimes carry serious consequences, reflecting what he described as a "World War II-era mentality centered on strength and defeating the enemy." This announcement, however, swiftly triggered widespread backlash from various quarters.
Critics from both sides of the political spectrum condemned the proposal for a live public execution. The United Nations human rights office issued a strong condemnation, arguing that a livestream would constitute a public execution, thereby violating international prohibitions against torture. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy likened the concept to executions carried out by terrorist groups, labeling public executions as "medieval." Republican Senator Thom Tillis also rejected the idea, stating that public executions are typically associated with oppressive regimes and should not occur in the United States. Other prominent critics included Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, who both described the proposal as "barbaric." Vice President JD Vance also expressed skepticism, telling reporters on Friday, "I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen," and added that he would not watch it if it did.
President Trump’s recent remarks mark a shift in tone regarding the public aspect of the execution. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, President Trump had appeared to endorse the idea, commenting that Hasan "deserves it." By Friday, he had stated that the Pentagon was still "making a determination" about the public nature of the execution, though he unequivocally affirmed that Hasan would be executed by firing squad regardless. "I really don’t care how he goes, as long as he goes," President Trump said, adding, "And I think the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him." A reporter subsequently asked President Trump if he had authorized a livestream, to which he reportedly responded, "absolutely" had.
However, on Saturday, President Trump clarified that the final decision remains pending. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged differing perspectives on the matter. "There are two thoughts: don’t show it and show it," President Trump explained. He further suggested that broadcasting the execution could potentially serve as a deterrent. "Cause you know, by showing it, maybe other people won’t be doing what he did," he continued. "So I’ll make a decision ultimately. I know what the military would like to do, but I’ll make a decision."
The President described Hasan as a "vicious killer" who murdered 13 people "in cold blood" and wounded many others, noting that "Some of those people will never have their lives back in a true sense." While the execution itself remains on schedule for early December, the question of whether the public will be permitted to witness it live now hinges on President Trump's ultimate determination. The varying signals from the administration highlight the complex and sensitive nature of capital punishment, particularly when intertwined with public display and national security implications.
