Trump overrules Hegseth on live broadcast of Fort Hood shooter Hasan’s execution over JD Vance’s objections | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump has canceled plans to broadcast live the execution of former US Army Major Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Trump said on Thursday (October 15) that Hasan would still be executed by firing squad as scheduled for December 3, but the event would not be broadcast. He added that the immediate family members of the victims could watch the execution in person if they wished.
The decision reverses an earlier announcement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the execution would be made public, which drew criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, religious leaders and other observers.
Why did Trump cancel the live broadcast of the execution?
Trump said he considered whether broadcasting the execution could deter future attacks, but decided not to broadcast it live after hearing objections from people who did not want to see a person die.
In a social media post, Trump described Hasan as responsible for the deaths of 13 people, including a pregnant soldier and her unborn child, and said 32 others were seriously injured.
He argued that public service broadcasting could demonstrate the consequences of terrorism, but acknowledged that many people were opposed to displays of execution.
“He will die as planned by firing squad, but this event will not be televised,” Trump wrote, adding that the victims’ immediate families would be allowed to attend if they chose.
Trump has previously indicated he will make the final decision, saying there are arguments both for and against broadcasting the execution.
Why did Pete Hegseth propose public execution?
Earlier this month, Hegseth announced that Hasan would be executed by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood, the Texas military installation where the attack took place.
Hegseth said the broadcast will ensure people understand that such actions have serious consequences. The Pentagon subsequently confirmed that the execution would be broadcast live, sparking backlash.
The proposal was particularly controversial because no other country is known to broadcast or live-stream executions.
Critics have also raised concerns that images of the execution could be used for propaganda or contribute to radicalization rather than serving as a deterrent.
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How did JD Vance and other critics respond?
Vice President JD Vance expressed reservations about the proposed broadcast and said he did not intend to watch it if it continued.
“I’m not going to watch it,” Vance said, stressing that the controversy over the method of execution should not overshadow the murders for which Hasan was convicted.
Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers also criticized the plan. Religious leaders objected, while Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the spiritual care of Catholic members of the U.S. armed forces, expressed concern. Pope Leo condemned the death penalty in all its forms.
Public opinion also appeared to be against the proposal, with recent polls indicating that a majority of Americans were against live coverage of the execution.
Who is Nidal Malik Hasan?
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist who held the rank of major, was convicted in a military trial in 2013 of the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting at Fort Hood.
He entered the medical building where soldiers were awaiting vaccinations and medical clearance before deployment. He shouted “Allahu akbar”, which means “God is great” in Arabic, before opening fire with a handgun.
Hasan said he wants to prevent troops from being deployed in Afghanistan and killing fellow Muslims. A military judge barred him from presenting this argument as a defense during the trial.
Hasan was shot in the back by a law enforcement officer during the attack and was left paralyzed from the waist down. He now uses a wheelchair.
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