President Donald Trump confirmed via Truth Social that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a former Army major convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, will proceed by firing squad but will not be broadcast to the public. This announcement marks a reversal of a plan previously proposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had suggested that the execution should be livestreamed to serve as a deterrent.

Trump’s decision comes after significant backlash from both sides of the political aisle. Critics had compared the prospect of a televised execution to practices in authoritarian regimes, and recent polling indicated that approximately 80 percent of Americans opposed the livestreaming of the event. In his statement, Trump acknowledged that while he believed a broadcast could have served as a "strong deterrent" against terrorism, he ultimately decided against it because many "well meaning people" would prefer not to watch the execution.

Sources differ on the context surrounding the cancellation. While outlets like The Guardian highlighted the "global condemnation" and comparisons to dictatorships, others such as Fox News and the Washington Examiner focused on Trump’s characterization of Hasan as a "traitor" and "scum." The execution is currently scheduled for December 3. Trump noted that immediate family members of the victims will still have the option to view the proceedings in person, should they choose to do so.