US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he has “absolutely” approved the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Trump described Hasan as “a maniac” and said the death penalty by firing squad is the right punishment. The Pentagon has scheduled the execution for December 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, and plans to livestream it, though Trump has not yet decided whether he supports the public broadcast.
Vice President JD Vance told reporters he does not know if the livestream will actually take place and made clear he would not watch it. His comments suggest some uncertainty inside the administration about the controversial plan.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the idea, arguing that serious crimes must carry serious consequences that the public can see. However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, former officials, and human rights groups. They warn that broadcasting the execution could glorify Hasan and hand extremists free propaganda material.
Joe Kent, who recently resigned as head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, said streaming the event would stain America’s morality and give terrorists recruiting material. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the livestream plan “beyond disgusting” and compared it to practices in oppressive regimes. Democratic Senator Jack Reed warned it would only help anti-American recruiters and damage US values.
The United Nations human rights office also condemned the idea, stating that public executions amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and violate international standards.
Hasan opened fire at a medical facility on the Texas base on November 5, 2009, killing 13 and wounding 32 others. A military jury convicted him in 2013 and sentenced him to death. He remains partially paralysed after being shot during his arrest. If carried out, this would be the first US military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad in decades.
The debate comes amid wider discussion about the death penalty in America and just weeks before the November midterm elections.
