US President Donald Trump Scraps Plan for Firing Squad Execution Livestream

US President Donald Trump has unexpectedly scrapped plans to broadcast the execution of former US army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad on a livestream.

The decision comes after widespread criticism from both within and outside the US, with many questioning the ethics of publicly showing such a graphic event. In an apparent response to these concerns, Trump stated that some people would rather not witness the execution.

Despite initial approval for the livestream, Trump's Vice-President JD Vance had expressed doubts about its feasibility, saying he wouldn't watch it if it happened. This internal disagreement may have contributed to the president's change of heart regarding the broadcast.

Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad, a method that would mark a significant departure from traditional lethal injection. His 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood in Texas left 13 unarmed US soldiers dead and 32 others injured.

Criticism against the Pentagon's plan to execute Major Nidal Hasan by firing squad has been mounting since its announcement last week. The United Nations was among those who condemned the decision, describing it as "abhorrent. Human rights groups have also expressed strong opposition to the plan, which includes livestreaming the execution.

This is not an isolated case of public executions; in 2025, Iran carried out at least 11 such events, while Afghanistan conducted six. Worldwide, only two countries publicly executed individuals last year, with a total of more than 2,700 executions taking place across 17 nations.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the decision to air Hasan's execution online, stating that people need to understand the consequences of serious crimes. However, his stance seems to be at odds with President Trump's initial support for the plan, which was later tempered by the Pentagon's ongoing deliberations.

In a recent statement, President Trump referred to Major Nidal Hasan as totally nuts", while also expressing his approval of the death penalty in general. His comments suggest a willingness to see justice served, but they do not clarify his stance on the specific plan to livestream the execution.

The US military has been planning to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad for his role in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people.

In a court-martial hearing, Hasan admitted to being the gunman and apologized for any mistakes he made, stating that he believed he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban from the US military. The attack on November 5, 2009, remains the deadliest non-combat incident in American military history.

The decision to use a firing squad is subject to US military law, which requires presidential approval and appellate review before an execution can proceed.