Trump halts live broadcast of execution of Fort Hood shooter

U.S. President Donald Trump has canceled plans to broadcast a live firing squad execution of former U.S. Army psychiatrist Nidal Malik Hasan.

Trump has previously expressed support for a public display of the Fort Hood attacker's death, while Vice President J.D. Vance has expressed doubts that it would happen and said he would not watch.

Trump decided to cancel the live broadcast after widespread criticism in the United States and around the world. "A lot of very good and well-intentioned people would rather not see him die," he said Thursday (October 15).

"I think having this execution livestreamed for everyone to watch may serve as a powerful deterrent for the world to see how the United States deals with terrorists and scum like Hassan," Trump said.

"He will be shot by firing squad as planned, but the proceedings will not be broadcast live," the president added.

In 2009, Hassan shot and killed 13 unarmed U.S. soldiers at a Texas military base and injured 32 others. His execution by firing squad would be the first military execution in more than 60 years.

Trump said the victims' families could still watch the executions in person if they wished.

"They deserve to see justice done!" he said.

After the Pentagon announced last week that it would execute Hassan by firing squad on December 3 and broadcast the entire process live, a flurry of criticism quickly emerged from human rights groups and many others. The United Nations described the plan as "outrageous".

Last year, more than 2,700 executions were carried out in 17 countries, but only two carried out public executions. According to Amnesty International, Iran is known to have carried out 11 public executions in 2025, while Afghanistan had six.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his decision to broadcast Hassan's execution online, saying "people need to understand that these kinds of things have serious consequences."

But as criticism intensified, Trump appeared to start to water down his support. He said last Friday (9th) that he "absolutely" supports the live broadcast plan, but added that the Pentagon is still "making a decision."

The president also called Hassan "completely crazy."

"I really don't care how he dies, as long as he dies, and I think the death penalty is a very appropriate outcome for him," he said.

Hassan opened fire inside a medical building packed with soldiers about to be deployed as they awaited medical exams and vaccinations.

He later admitted in court that he was the shooter and apologized for "any mistakes." During his 2013 military court hearing, he said he believed he was protecting Afghan Muslims and the Taliban from U.S. forces.

The shooting on November 5, 2009 was the deadliest non-combat attack on a U.S. military base in the history.