The U.S. Department of Defense plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 soldiers and injured 32 others. Scheduled for December 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, the execution by firing squad would mark the first publicly broadcasted execution in U.S. history, a move that has prompted widespread debate and controversy.
Hasan, 56, opened fire at a military processing center during his deployment, shouting "Allahu akbar" as he attacked. During the assault, he was shot and left paralyzed from the waist down. In 2013, a military court convicted him on 45 counts of premeditated murder and attempted murder, sentencing him to death. This execution would be the first military execution since 1961 and the first firing squad execution since 1945.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the livestream plan in an interview, emphasizing the need for public awareness of the consequences of such crimes. He stated that the execution would be openly accessible so Americans could witness the gravity of Hasan’s actions. President Donald Trump reportedly approved the initiative, while Vice President JD Vance expressed skepticism about the livestream, indicating he would not watch if it proceeds.
The proposal has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Republican lawmakers and retired military officers. Senator Thom Tillis described the public broadcast as "medieval and barbaric," comparing it to practices seen in authoritarian regimes such as Iran and Afghanistan. Retired Adm. James G. Stavridis called the move antithetical to the values of the U.S. military and nation, highlighting the symbolic shift it represents.
Experts on counterterrorism have also voiced concerns. Colin P. Clarke, terrorism analyst at the Soufan Center, warned that broadcasting Hasan's execution live could be exploited as propaganda by jihadist groups, potentially inspiring further radicalization. The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist messaging, noted that some jihadi sympathizers view the planned public execution as a catalyst for violence.
Historically, public executions were common in the United States but were phased out over the 19th and 20th centuries as the practice was deemed undignified and inhumane. The last public execution occurred in Kentucky in 1936. Since then, executions have typically been private, witnessed only by selected officials, family members, and limited media representatives. Army regulations currently restrict execution witnesses to specific individuals and prohibit those under 18 from attending.
The proposed livestream breaks with this precedent, raising questions about legal, ethical, and security implications. The Pentagon has not disclosed detailed plans on how the broadcast would comply with military execution protocols or how audience access would be controlled.
This development coincides with a broader national debate on the death penalty. Some states, such as Tennessee, have temporarily halted executions following botched attempts, while California’s governor has indicated a possible reprieve for death row inmates. In contrast, former President Biden commuted federal death sentences for dozens of inmates before leaving office, a move reversed in part by the Trump administration.
As the date approaches, the plan to televise Hasan’s execution underscores ongoing tensions regarding capital punishment in the U.S. and the role of public spectacle in the criminal justice system.