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President Donald Trump has canceled plans to livestream the scheduled execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army major convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas. The decision reverses a controversial proposal announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that would have allowed the public to watch the execution online.
Trump announced the decision Thursday in a post on Truth Social, acknowledging that although a public broadcast might have been intended to deter future acts of violence, many Americans did not want to watch such an event.
“He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed,” Trump wrote, confirming that the execution would proceed without a public broadcast. He added that the immediate families of the victims could attend in person if they wished.
A Controversial Pentagon Proposal
The controversy began earlier this month when Hegseth announced that the administration intended to make Hasan’s scheduled December 3 execution public through a livestream. Supporters of the proposal argued that broadcasting the punishment could demonstrate the consequences of terrorism and deter future attacks.
However, the announcement triggered criticism from across the political spectrum. Lawmakers, religious leaders and members of the public questioned whether broadcasting an execution would serve a legitimate public purpose or turn a solemn judicial proceeding into a spectacle.
Some critics also warned that footage of the execution could be used as propaganda or recruitment material by extremist groups.
Bipartisan Opposition Grows
Opposition extended beyond Democrats and civil liberties advocates. Several Republicans also expressed reservations about the plan, including Vice President JD Vance, who said he would not watch the execution if it were broadcast.
Religious leaders also condemned the proposal. Catholic bishops criticized the idea of publicly broadcasting an execution, raising concerns about human dignity and the moral implications of capital punishment.
A poll published Thursday by The Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos found that approximately 80% of Americans opposed livestreaming Hasan’s execution. Opposition crossed party lines, including among a majority of Republican respondents.
The widespread criticism placed additional pressure on the administration to reconsider the Pentagon’s announcement.
What Happens Next?
Hasan remains scheduled for execution on December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, Texas, according to reports. Trump’s decision changes the proposed method of public access to the event, not the scheduled punishment itself.
The case has renewed debate over capital punishment, military justice and the role of government in making executions public. It has also raised questions about whether broadcasting state-administered punishment would promote deterrence or undermine the dignity of the justice system.
For now, the administration has ruled out a public livestream, although the immediate families of the victims may attend in person.
Trump’s reversal marks a significant retreat from the Pentagon’s original proposal and highlights the political and ethical difficulties surrounding the public presentation of capital punishment.
Sources: CBS News, Reuters and The Washington Post, October 15, 2026.