Trump cancels broadcast of Fort Hood gunman's execution; Pentagon backs decision

US President Donald Trump has cancelled plans to broadcast the execution of former Army major Nidal Hasan, who was convicted over the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Trump said the execution by firing squad would proceed as scheduled but would not be shown live. The execution is planned for December 3, according to Meduza, Kommersant and RIA Novosti. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he thought a broadcast could provide a deterrent and show how the United States dealt with people such as Hasan, Kommersant reported. He nevertheless said many well-intentioned people would prefer not to watch Hasan die. He added that close relatives of the victims could attend the execution in person if they wished. [ 3 ]

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told RIA Novosti that Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth discussed the decision not to broadcast the execution before Trump published the announcement on Truth Social. Parnell said Hegseth supported the president's decision and that their positions were fully aligned. Kommersant reported that Hegseth had previously announced plans for a live broadcast. [ 3 , 6 ]

Meduza reported that 72 retired US generals, admirals and other senior military officers had called for the public execution to be cancelled. In an open letter, they said showing the execution publicly would degrade human dignity, damage the armed forces' honour and risk turning Hasan into a martyr. Kommersant also reported criticism of the broadcast proposal from representatives of both parties. [ 2 , 3 ]

Hasan opened fire on fellow service members at a medical centre at Fort Hood in November 2009, killing 13 people and wounding more than 30, Meduza reported. A military court sentenced him to death in 2013. Kommersant reported that the scheduled execution would be the first in the US armed forces since 1961 and the first by firing squad in the US Army since 1945. [ 2 , 3 ]