Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Nidal Hasan will receive the death penalty at a public execution scheduled for December. Convicted of killing 13 people and injuring over 30 in a 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood, Hasan faces execution on December 3. President Donald Trump approved the execution by firing squad, planned for 1 p.m. at Fort Hood, Texas.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, carried out the attack at the height of the global “War on Terrorism” campaign. Investigators linked his actions to Islamic extremist beliefs, citing email exchanges with Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaeda-affiliated cleric who praised the massacre, and Hasan’s own statements. During his court-martial, Hasan claimed to have acted in defense of the Taliban, declaring he had “switched sides.”
On a recent trip to Ohio and Wisconsin as part of his Arsenal of Freedom tour, Hegseth commented publicly for the first time about Trump’s decision to reject plans to livestream Hasan’s execution. “I agree with the president,” Hegseth said when asked if he was disappointed about the decision. “We spoke about it at length…Death by firing squad is what Nidal Hasan, a terrorist, a traitor, deserves.” Hegseth emphasized the deterrent effect of the execution, whether livestreamed or not, and fully supported the president’s approach.
Trump had earlier approved Hasan’s execution by firing squad, marking a rare method in U.S. military history. If carried out, Hasan would be the first U.S. military prisoner executed since 1961 and the first by firing squad since World War II. Although the approval advanced the military death penalty process, potential litigation in civilian federal court could delay proceedings.
Hegseth’s push to livestream the execution faced bipartisan criticism. Trump later rescinded the plan, citing advice from “many very good and well-meaning people.” In a Truth Social post, Trump reiterated that although Hasan is “a very bad and evil man,” his execution would not be streamed for public view, but family members of the victims could witness it if they choose.
The proposal to livestream the execution incited backlash, including from a soldier’s brother killed in the Fort Hood attack, prompting a reconsideration by Trump. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced opposition to the livestreaming. Vice President JD Vance also questioned whether such a broadcast would take place.
What Is Hegseth’s Arsenal of Freedom Tour?
Hegseth initiated the Arsenal of Freedom tour in January, aimed at supporting the nation’s defense industrial base. The tour recently took him to Dayton, Ohio, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he engaged with workers in the defense sector.
In Wisconsin, Hegseth toured Riverside Machine & Engineering, a firm producing components for defense, medical, and aerospace industries. In Ohio, he visited Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Aviation Innovation and Technology Center, highlighting the strategic importance of the defense industry.
This article was produced with the assistance of Newsweek’s AI, Martyn. For inquiries, contact editors Samantha Beech and Edward T. Cummins.
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