Pentagon plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter execution sparks bipartisan backlash
The Pentagon announced that President Donald Trump approved the execution by firing squad of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people, scheduled for December 3. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the execution would be public and livestreamed, sparking bipartisan backlash from lawmakers who called it "beyond disgusting" and likened it to oppressive dictatorships. The execution would be the military's first in 65 years and the first public execution in the U.S. in 90 years.
Reference imageEditorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Reports are grouped by semantic similarity and deterministic rules. Language models may assist titles, summaries, translation and cross-source analysis; the page reads the event directly, while its address stays stable when the title changes.
- Summary covers the current reports
Cross-source coverage
Reporting timeline
Plan for public military execution sparks bipartisan backlash in Congress
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream the execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting that killed 13 people, has drawn bipartisan backlash from lawmakers. The Pentagon announced President Donald Trump approved execution by firing squad, scheduled for December 3, with Hegseth stating the execution would be public and livestreamed to demonstrate consequences. Republican Rep. Austin Scott said livestreaming executions is what jihadists do, while Sen. Thom Tillis called it beyond disgusting and likened it to oppressive dictatorships. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith said it makes a mockery of the legal system, and Sen. Jack Reed argued it gives Hasan a global platform for his anti-American message. The execution would be the military's first in 65 years and the first public execution in the U.S. in 90 years. Some supporters like Rep. Andy Ogles backed the plan, saying public execution is what the terrorist deserves. Army regulation generally prohibits public executions but allows waivers by the provost marshal general.
Read sourcePentagon plan to livestream Fort Hood shooter execution sparks political backlash
The Pentagon has announced a plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter, a decision that has prompted fierce political backlash. Multiple news outlets, including The Guardian, The New York Times, and Axios, report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the public can watch the execution. The plan has drawn criticism from figures such as Senator Thom Tillis, who called the livestreaming 'beyond disgusting'. An AP News article provides historical context, noting that public executions in the US were once a community spectacle before they were stopped. The controversy highlights the debate over transparency versus the potential for sensationalism in capital punishment.
Read sourcePentagon says firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter will be livestreamed
The Pentagon has announced that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army psychiatrist convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people, will be carried out by firing squad and livestreamed to the public. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the decision, stating that the public can watch the execution. The announcement has been reported by multiple major news outlets including NPR, BBC, Reuters, Axios, and The Times of Israel. The execution method and the decision to livestream it represent a significant departure from standard military execution procedures, which typically involve lethal injection and are not broadcast. The move has generated widespread attention and debate.
Read sourceShow 2 older updatesHide older updates
Army Sets Date for First Military Execution by Firing Squad Since 1945
The U.S. Army has set a date for the first military execution by firing squad since 1945. Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people, is scheduled to be executed on December 3. The execution was approved by President Trump, marking the first use of a firing squad in the U.S. military in 65 years. Multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, NPR, and ABC News, report on the development, with some noting lingering questions about the procedure. The Death Penalty Information Center also confirms the scheduled execution date.
Read sourceTrump approves first US military firing squad execution since World War II
President Donald Trump has approved the first military execution by firing squad since World War II. The execution is scheduled for Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. The Army has set a date and location for the execution, which would be the first military execution in 65 years. Multiple news outlets, including NPR, The New York Times, Yahoo, the Death Penalty Information Center, and Military Times, are reporting on this development. The decision marks a significant shift in military execution policy, as firing squad executions have not been used by the U.S. military since 1945. The case has drawn attention due to the historic nature of the punishment method and the high-profile nature of Hasan's crimes.