In brief
President Donald Trump reversed a decision to televise the execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist who carried out the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. The decision followed criticism and opposition from members of the executive team, including Vice‑President J.D. Vance, who said he would not watch the event. Trump argued that a livestream would be “strong deterrent” but ultimately concluded that it was better not to broadcast the death. Hasan will die by firing squad on the scheduled date, but the ceremony will remain a private military proceeding. The move highlights tensions in how the United States deals with domestic terrorism cases.
US President Donald Trump has called off plans to livestream the execution of former US Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad.
The decision follows earlier statements by the President that he approved airing the execution online, but both the Vice‑President and other officials expressed doubts. Vice‑President JD Vance publicly cast doubt that the livestream would take place, also saying he would not watch it.
Trump said on Thursday that "many very good and well‑meaning people would rather not watch him die" and added, "I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the world to witness how America deals with terrorists and scum like Hasan."
"He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed," the president clarified. Hasan had fatally shot 13 unarmed US soldiers at the Fort Hood base in Texas in 2009, injuring another 32, making his execution the first military death by firing squad in more than 60 years.
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