Trump reverses Pentagon’s decision to livestream the Fort Hood shooter’s execution
About time it was cancelled.
Just a week ago, the Pentagon confirmed that the execution of the Fort Hood shooter would be livestreamed for the world to witness the first U.S. military execution in over six decades. However, today President Donald Trump announced that the execution, scheduled for December 3, 2026, will no longer be livestreamed.
Many political leaders and military experts opposed the plan when it was announced, with even Republicans speaking out against it, though it’s unclear whether that ultimately changed the administration’s mind on the livestream. Trump also said that while the livestream will not happen, the families of the victims would be allowed to watch in person if they wanted.
Why the military is executing the Fort Hood shooter rather than a prison
Nidal Malik Hasan was an Army psychiatrist when he committed a mass shooting against fellow service members in 2009. He opened fire inside the Soldier Readiness Processing Center in Fort Hood, Texas, ultimately killing 13 people and injuring 32 others. It was the largest mass murder to occur at a military installation in the U.S.
Since Hasan was a member of the military at the time he committed the act, he went through the U.S. military’s court system, rather than the civilian one. The military can only impose a death sentence in a few cases, including for espionage and premeditated murder. Additionally, the U.S. President must sign off on any death sentences the military hands down.
Trump posted about the canceled livestream on Truth Social
According to USA Today, Trump posted about the livestream’s cancellation on his Truth Social account. He stated, “I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan but, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device.”
He also added, “He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.”
Though Secretary Hegseth had been pushing the livestream, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell reportedly said, “The Secretary supports the President’s decision, and they are completely aligned.”
Recently, Republicans such as Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance had expressed reservations about livestreaming the execution. Johnson purportedly stated that he wouldn’t be watching and that he had colleagues with concerns about the idea. Vice President Vance allegedly said he wouldn’t be watching either and expressed doubts about whether the livestream would happen.
Even victims of the attack questioned the Pentagon’s plans to broadcast the execution.
Additionally, over 70 retired military leaders condemned the idea in a letter on October 14, 2026. The letter reportedly read in part, “It turns what should be the solemn and grave punishment of a member of our society for committing the most serious crimes into a carnival for the enjoyment of voyeurs and spectators. This type of exploitative broadcasting – that debases human dignity – will taint the honor of the military that employs it, and a nation that allows it.”
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