The United States will broadcast the December 3 execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others in a 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, according to Pentagon officials.
Hasan Killed 13 at Fort Hood Base
The scheduled execution stems from the events of November 5, 2009, when Hasan opened fire with a laser-sighted pistol in a crowded medical building at the Texas military base where soldiers awaited deployment to Afghanistan. A military jury convicted Hasan in August 2013 on 45 counts of premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder. During the incident, police shot Hasan, leaving him partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.
The attack remains the most lethal non-combat shooting ever recorded at an American military installation. Following recommendations from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump approved the execution by firing squad under military law, which requires presidential sign-off for capital punishment. The Público coverage notes that the last military execution in the United States took place in 1961 by hanging, while the last military execution by firing squad occurred in 1945.
Hegseth Defends Public Broadcast of Execution
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision to make the event public during an appearance on the podcast Human Events Daily, emphasizing that observers need to understand severe acts carry severe consequences.
When asked if Hasan had submitted any final requests, Hegseth told media outlets, “I don’t care. We’ll see him on December 3.” While the Pentagon confirmed plans to broadcast the procedure, officials have not yet detailed the specific mechanisms for the public feed, the composition of the firing squad, or whether spectators will be permitted inside the base.
Federal Government Resumes Capital Punishment
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Date of Execution | December 3, 2026 |
| Location | Fort Hood, Texas |
| Method | Firing Squad |
| Victims | 13 dead, 32 wounded (2009) |
| Prior Military Execution | 1961 (Hanging) / 1945 (Firing Squad) |
Capital punishment within the United States operates primarily at the state level, with 27 states, the federal government, and the military retaining the death penalty. The federal government resumed capital punishment under an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January 2025, reversing a prior moratorium enacted during the administration of Joe Biden.
While firing squads remain uncommon, South Carolina carried out an execution by firing squad in 2025—marking the first use of the method in that state and nationwide in 15 years. Four other states, including Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah, also permit firing squads in their legal statutes. Advocacy groups such as Death Penalty Action have pointed out that Hasan’s execution will represent the first military execution in over six decades, reviving a debate over transparency and methods in capital punishment.
