President Donald Trump has canceled plans to broadcast the execution of former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad, reversing an earlier approval for the livestream. The decision followed significant international and domestic backlash.

Hasan, who fatally shot 13 unarmed US soldiers and injured 32 others at Fort Hood in 2009, is scheduled to be executed on December 3, 2026. This execution will mark the first military execution in the United States in over six decades.

Trump stated that "many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die," leading to the cancellation of the livestream. He had previously suggested that broadcasting the execution could serve as a deterrent, describing Hasan as "Terrorists and SCUM." While the livestream is off, Trump confirmed that the execution will proceed as scheduled by firing squad.

The implications of the canceled livestream highlight a broader debate about the nature and visibility of capital punishment, particularly in military contexts. The United Nations had described the initial livestreaming plan as "abhorrent," and human rights groups also voiced strong opposition.

The Pentagon's initial announcement last week to both execute Hasan and livestream the event drew swift criticism. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had defended the idea, arguing it would demonstrate "serious consequences for these types of things." However, as criticism mounted, President Trump appeared to soften his stance, indicating that the Pentagon was still making a final determination on the livestream.

Hasan, a US Army psychiatrist, opened fire in a crowded medical building where soldiers were preparing for deployment, awaiting medical check-ups and vaccinations. He later admitted to being the gunman in court and apologized for any mistakes, stating during his 2013 court-martial that he believed he was acting to protect Muslims and the Taliban from the US military.

The killings on November 5, 2009, remain the deadliest non-combat attack on an American military base. Military law mandates that presidential approval is required for military executions, along with an appellate review to confirm legality.

While the livestream has been called off, Trump indicated that victims' families would still have the option to witness the execution in person, stating, "They deserve to witness JUSTICE!" The source material notes that globally, only two countries carried out public executions last year out of over 2,700 executions across 17 nations, with Iran and Afghanistan accounting for 11 and six public executions respectively in 2025.