The U.S. military has announced it will livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist who murdered 13 Americans and wounded 32 others at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the decision in an interview, describing the punishment as “public.” FCC chair Brendan Carr stated the commission lacks authority to block such a broadcast.
Journalist Nick Sortor pledged to livestream the event, emphasizing no one is compelled to watch: “Don’t! NOBODY is forcing you to do so.” Vice President JD Vance acknowledged he would not view the execution if streamed, noting he has seen announcements but remains uncertain of its occurrence.
Hasan’s attack followed radicalization recognized by military superiors as a severe threat. A 2011 Senate report found the FBI ignored evidence of Hasan’s violent jihadist activities and that the Department of Defense failed to act despite possessing “compelling evidence” he posed an extreme risk. At the time, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey expressed concern about potential backlash against Muslim soldiers rather than preventing future attacks: “I’ve asked our Army leaders to be on the lookout for that.”
Former U.S. counterterrorism chief Joe Kent condemned the livestream plan as “beneath the dignity & decency of our nation,” warning it would provide terrorists with recruitment propaganda. Hasan, who is paraplegic and nearly 60 years old, will be rolled out in a wheelchair for the execution. His appeals have been exhausted, and President Donald Trump has approved his firing squad punishment. The last American executed by firing squad was Private Eddie Slovik on January 31, 1945.
