Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated that the execution of former US Army Major Nidal Hasan, convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people, will be made public. Hegseth approved the order for a firing squad execution, authorized by President Donald Trump, emphasizing the need for the public to witness the "serious consequences" of such acts.

The decision to use a firing squad for Hasan's execution, scheduled for December 3 at 1 p.m. US Central Time at Fort Hood, was described by Hegseth as a "no-brainer." This marks a significant departure from standard execution methods and potentially from past practices regarding public access to executions.

Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was found guilty by a military jury in August 2013 on 45 counts of premeditated murder and attempted murder. He opened fire on fellow service members at an army processing center on the Texas base, shouting "Allahu akbar." His death sentence has been pending since his conviction.

An official from the Defense Department confirmed to Al Jazeera that Hasan's execution would be "livestreamed," though further details are forthcoming. It remains unclear whether troops, spectators, or military officials will be present in person. US Army regulations stipulate that at least two media outlets are to be selected as witnesses.

The prospect of a publicly viewable execution raises historical questions. No state or federal execution has ever been televised in the United States. The last known public execution in the U.S. occurred over 90 years ago, on August 14, 1936, in Owensboro, Kentucky. The last U.S. military execution by firing squad was in 1945, for desertion during World War II.

The Trump administration had previously announced in April its intention to add firing squad, gas asphyxiation, and electrocution as acceptable methods for federal executions. This move by the administration signaled a broader willingness to explore and implement alternative execution methods.

When asked for comment on Hegseth's remarks and President Trump's potential involvement in viewing the execution, the White House directed inquiries to the Pentagon. The Pentagon has yet to release specific details regarding the public access arrangements for the execution.

This planned execution and its public nature underscore ongoing debates surrounding capital punishment in the United States, particularly within the military justice system. The specific protocols for this execution, especially concerning media and public access, will be closely watched.