The execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, will be public and broadcast via a live stream, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. Scheduled for December 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, the lethal firing squad execution marks the first military capital punishment carried out by the United States since 1961, according to data from the Death Penalty Information Center cited by RaiNews.
Public Firing Squad Broadcast Announced by Pentagon Officials
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during an interview with Real America’s Voice that the military will ensure American citizens can witness the execution. Hegseth gave the interview while visiting the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, a aircraft carrier preparing to return to San Diego. He explained that a firing squad of soldiers is appropriate because people must understand that such actions have very serious consequences. Following the remarks, a Pentagon official confirmed to American media that the event will stream live online, with further technical details forthcoming.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell reinforced the stance on social media platform X, writing that “the judgment day for Hasan has finally arrived,” as noted by RaiNews. Parnell added that Hasan, whom he called a convicted terrorist, shouted “Allah Akbar” during the attack. President Donald Trump formally approved the execution order earlier in the week, clearing the path for the Army to schedule the proceeding. Trump approved the death sentence on October 2, and Army acting secretary Adam Telle ordered the firing squad execution four days later.
Army Psychiatrist Kills Thirteen Troops at Fort Hood Military Base
Nidal Malik Hasan, now 56, was an Army psychiatrist holding the rank of major when he entered a room at the Fort Hood military base on November 5, 2009. Troops inside were gathered for medical processing prior to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hasan, a U.S. citizen of Palestinian origin, had shown increasing Islamic radicalization and opposed the idea of Muslim soldiers fighting other Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the 13 victims was a pregnant soldier who begged for the life of her unborn child.
During his 2013 court-martial proceedings, Hasan chose to represent himself and admitted to being the author of the shooting. He claimed he acted to protect Islamic rebels abroad from U.S. aggression. On August 23, 2013, a military panel convicted him on all 42 counts, including 13 specifications of premeditated murder and 32 specifications of attempted premeditated murder. Five days later, the court sentenced him to death. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review his case in 2025.
Historical Precedent for U.S. Military Executions
If carried out on December 3, Hasan’s execution will end a decades-long pause in military capital punishment. The last military execution in the United States occurred on April 13, 1961, when Army Pvt. John A. Bennett was hanged after a conviction for rape and attempted murder, per records from the Death Penalty Information Center cited by RaiNews.
The last military execution specifically conducted by firing squad took place in 1945, when Pvt. Eddie Slovik was executed in France for desertion, according to corriere.it. Public executions have not been conducted in the United States in 90 years, placing the upcoming live broadcast of a military firing squad outside modern correctional norms.
Military Execution Facts
- Execution Date: Dec. 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM local time.
- Location: Fort Hood, Texas.
- Last Military Hanging: April 13, 1961 (John A. Bennett).
- Last Military Firing Squad: 1945 (Eddie Slovik).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fort Hood Execution
What method of execution did the military select for Nidal Hasan?
The U.S. Army scheduled the execution by firing squad, utilizing a team of soldiers as recommended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and approved by President Donald Trump.
Where will the execution take place?
The proceedings are set to occur on December 3 at the Fort Hood military base in Texas, the same installation where the 2009 mass shooting took place.
Has Hasan’s defense team pursued further legal appeals?
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Hasan’s case in 2025, and Pentagon leadership stated that late appeals or contacts with the administration would not alter the schedule.
When was the last time the U.S. military used a firing squad?
The last military execution by firing squad occurred in 1945 in France, when Private Eddie Slovik was executed for desertion.
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