President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that his administration had not yet reached a final position on whether to broadcast the scheduled execution of Nidal Hasan, the former army psychologist convicted of killing 13 people in a 2009 mass shooting, with the proposal put forward by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth having drawn objections from members of both parties. Trump added that the execution itself would proceed.
Trump said the method would be firing squad and that the form of execution was of little concern to him provided it was carried out, describing capital punishment as an appropriate outcome in the case. Separately, Hegseth announced on Thursday that the execution would be made available for public viewing.
Voices from both major parties — among them figures who have backed Trump — raised objections that broadcasting the execution live runs counter to foundational national principles and may serve as a recruitment tool for extremist groups. Senator John Curtis of Utah called on Hegseth to reconsider the plan, while Representative Austin Scott of Georgia — who has previously taken issue with Hegseth — wrote on social media that although he supported capital punishment, broadcasting executions online was a practice associated with jihadist groups and that the United States held itself to a higher standard.
Vice President JD Vance expressed doubt that a livestream would take place and indicated he would not view it if one did, telling reporters he was uncertain whether Hegseth's proposal aligned with his Christian beliefs. Vance, who published a book this year on his conversion to Catholicism, nonetheless made clear he held the view that Hasan deserved to be put to death.
Archbishop Paul Coakley, who holds the presidency of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a formal statement describing a planned public execution as incompatible with human dignity, a position consistent with the Catholic Church's long-standing opposition to capital punishment.
Thirteen people were killed and 32 others were injured after Hasan opened fire inside the Fort Hood Soldier Readiness Center in Killeen, Texas, in November 2009, with the attack ending when he was physically stopped. A capital verdict handed down by a military tribunal left him facing a firing squad, with the execution date set for 3 December.
On Thursday, Hegseth outlined the plan during a televised interview. Democrats responded to the announcement with calls for the official's removal, and party members have outlined plans to pursue impeachment proceedings should they win a House majority in the November elections.
Within the United States, state-sanctioned executions conducted before a public audience have not taken place for many years. Army rules governing such proceedings restrict attendance and, among other limitations, prohibit those under 18 from being present. No existing rule or written procedure makes provision for broadcasting the punishment as a live feed.
On social media, Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles, a Republican, posted a call for public execution as the punishment he argued the person he described as a terrorist deserved. The White House indicated the matter remained under consideration.
