Trump Cancels Livestream of Fort Hood Attacker's Execution

President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of plans to livestream the execution of former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan, who is set to be put to death by firing squad on December 3, 2026. The decision comes after significant backlash from human rights groups and international bodies, including the United Nations, which deemed the livestream plan “abhorrent.”

Initially, Trump had expressed approval for broadcasting the execution, suggesting it could serve as a strong deterrent to terrorism. However, he stated that “many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die.” He confirmed that Hasan will still be executed as scheduled but that the event would not be streamed.

Hasan was responsible for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 13 unarmed US military personnel and injured 32 others. His execution will be the first military execution in over six decades. While the livestream has been called off, Trump noted that the victims’ families will still have the option to witness the execution in person, stating, “They deserve to witness JUSTICE!”

The Pentagon’s initial announcement to livestream the execution, defended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a means to show “serious consequences,” drew immediate criticism. Despite Trump’s earlier support, he appeared to waver, stating the Pentagon was still “making a determination.” Hasan’s lawyer, John Galligan, called the initial livestream idea “dumb” and a violation of Army regulations, noting that Hasan is paralyzed and that Trump was allegedly unaware of this detail when approving the livestream.

Hasan, who admitted to being the gunman and apologized for “mistakes,” claimed during his 2013 court-martial that he believed he was acting to protect Muslims and the Taliban. The 2009 Fort Hood attack remains the deadliest non-combat incident on a US military base.

Source: Nile Post