Trump says he will decide if Nidal Hasan's firing squad execution is livestreamed
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he has not yet determined whether the firing squad execution of convicted Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan will be broadcast live. The Pentagon confirmed to Fox News Digital earlier in the week that the execution is scheduled for Dec. 3 and that it was planned to be livestreamed from Fort Hood. Hasan, a former Army major, was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Trump told reporters at the White House that he will ultimately make the decision regarding the broadcast, noting that he is aware of the military's preferences. "He was vicious, he was violent," Trump said when asked about the execution. He explained that there are two opposing thoughts: not showing the execution and showing it, with the possibility that a public broadcast might deter others from committing similar acts. Trump added, "I'll make a decision, ultimately. I know what the military would like to do, but we'll make a decision." In a separate report, Fox News Digital noted that the president had previously authorized the use of an Army firing squad after receiving a recommendation from War Secretary Pete Hegseth. These comments came one day after Trump was questioned about whether he had approved the livestreaming decision. During an interview Friday with CNY Central following a rally in Syracuse, Trump said, "I wasn't involved in that decision, but I understand the decision." He added that the military wanted the execution to serve as an example, a sentiment he understood well. Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that he was unsure whether the execution would be livestreamed and stated that if it were broadcast, he would not watch it. If carried out, the execution would mark the first conducted by the U.S. military since 1961 and the first military execution by firing squad since 1945.
President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he has not yet determined whether the firing squad execution of convicted Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan will be broadcast live. The Pentagon confirmed to Fox News Digital earlier in the week that the execution is scheduled for Dec. 3 and that it was planned to be livestreamed from Fort Hood. Hasan, a former Army major, was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Trump told reporters at the White House that he will ultimately make the decision regarding the broadcast, noting that he is aware of the military's preferences. "He was vicious, he was violent," Trump said when asked about the execution. He explained that there are two opposing thoughts: not showing the execution and showing it, with the possibility that a public broadcast might deter others from committing similar acts. Trump added, "I'll make a decision, ultimately. I know what the military would like to do, but we'll make a decision." In a separate report, Fox News Digital noted that the president had previously authorized the use of an Army firing squad after receiving a recommendation from War Secretary Pete Hegseth. These comments came one day after Trump was questioned about whether he had approved the livestreaming decision. During an interview Friday with CNY Central following a rally in Syracuse, Trump said, "I wasn't involved in that decision, but I understand the decision." He added that the military wanted the execution to serve as an example, a sentiment he understood well. Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that he was unsure whether the execution would be livestreamed and stated that if it were broadcast, he would not watch it. If carried out, the execution would mark the first conducted by the U.S. military since 1961 and the first military execution by firing squad since 1945.