Story perspectives

Trump Approves Livestream Firing-Squad Execution of Nidal Hasan

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 3:46 PM UTC · How we work

Center

First firing squad execution

Former U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan is scheduled for a livestreamed firing-squad execution at Fort Hood, Texas, on December 3, 2026.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the public must see the execution to understand its serious consequences.
U.S. President Donald Trump approved the firing-squad execution, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
The execution will be the first military death since 1961 and first firing-squad since 1945.

Left

Taxpayer Burden

Former U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan is scheduled for execution by firing squad at Fort Hood, Texas, on December 3, 2026.
The livestreamed execution is criticized for imposing a substantial taxpayer burden through new facilities and protocols.
Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle set the execution time for 2 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.
Military law experts question whether required procedural steps for the death-penalty were properly followed.

Blindspot

President Donald Trump approved the firing-squad execution of former U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan, as confirmed by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

During World II the U.S. Army held 1.7 million courts-martial; only 49 soldiers received death sentences and Private Eddie Slovik was the sole execution, carried out by firing squad on 31 January 1945 after Eisenhower approved the order. The rarity of such capital punishment has shaped later military-justice debates, including the 2026 Fort Hood firing-squad controversy.

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First firing squad execution

Former U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan is scheduled for a livestreamed firing-squad execution at Fort Hood, Texas, on December 3, 2026.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the public must see the execution to understand its serious consequences.
U.S. President Donald Trump approved the firing-squad execution, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
The execution will be the first military death since 1961 and first firing-squad since 1945.

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