Donald Trump endorsed the use of a firing squad to execute Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, while leaving the question of a public livestream hanging. The President spoke on Friday about the scheduled December 3 execution, signaling his support for the execution method itself. "They are making a determination about that, but he will be killed," Trump said. "I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes."
The comment clarifies a murky legal and logistical path for the Department of Justice. While the firing squad is a statutory option in federal law, its use has been rare in recent decades, making the decision unusual. The pending question of a live broadcast adds a layer of controversy that could draw immediate scrutiny from civil liberties groups and international observers. Trump’s nonchalant tone regarding the method contrasts sharply with the gravity of the underlying case.
Hasan remains in federal custody awaiting the execution. The original 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas, killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, making it one of the deadliest attacks on US service members in decades. The legal team for the condemned is currently reviewing the specific protocols for the firing squad execution. A final ruling on the livestream is expected in the coming days as the date approaches.