WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has halted plans by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to live stream the military execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, marking a rare public disagreement between the two officials. The decision was announced on October 15, days after Hegseth first proposed broadcasting the firing-squad execution, drawing widespread criticism from lawmakers, religious leaders, and international observers.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Trump was not informed of the plan until recently and moved quickly to cancel it. The president stated that while streaming could serve as a strong deterrent by showing how the United States deals with terrorists, he ultimately concluded it would be inappropriate. “Many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die,” Trump said, confirming the execution would proceed as scheduled but without a livestream.
Hasan, 56, was convicted of premeditated murder for a 2009 attack at the Fort Hood military base that left 13 dead and 32 wounded. He was sentenced to death by firing squad, a method not used by the U.S. military since 1945, and requires a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during his arrest.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran, defended the plan by suggesting a public broadcast would demonstrate the severity of consequences for such crimes. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized that the secretary of war supports the president’s directive and that the two remain aligned.
The proposal had sparked condemnation from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly introduced legislation on October 15 aimed at prohibiting the live streaming of executions, calling such a practice "un-American and dangerous" and comparing it to tactics used by authoritarian regimes. Some Republicans also voiced unease, with Republican strategist Douglas Heye characterizing the disagreement as unlikely to damage Trump’s relationship with Hegseth.
Tensions surrounding Hegseth extend beyond the execution livestream controversy. Since narrowly securing Senate confirmation, he has drawn criticism from both parties over his management style, perceived lack of qualifications, and aggressive moves within the Pentagon, including the removal of senior military officers. Additionally, in September, Republican Representative Thomas Massie filed articles of impeachment against him for allegedly authorizing hostilities against Iran without congressional approval, though the measure is not expected to succeed.
The cancellation of the live broadcast is the most visible break between the secretary and the president amid ongoing debates about military policy and conduct ahead of the November midterm elections. Some Pentagon and Republican strategists view the episode as temporary, suggesting it will have limited lasting impact on their working relationship.