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President Donald Trump says he has not yet reached a final decision on whether to livestream the execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, the man who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. Trump addressed reporters at the White House on Saturday, acknowledging competing views on the matter.
“There are two thoughts: don’t show it and show it,” Trump said. “By showing it, maybe other people won’t be doing what he did. So I’ll make a decision ultimately. I know what the military would like to do, but I’ll make a decision.”
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Trump also described Hasan’s crimes in stark terms. “He’s a vicious killer — killed 13 people in cold blood, wounded over 20,” the president said. “Some of those people will never have their lives back in a true sense.”
Execution Plan Announced Earlier This Week
Military officials announced on Monday that Hasan, sentenced to death in 2013, would face execution by firing squad in December. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed that announcement on Thursday by confirming the execution would be livestreamed.
That decision immediately raised concerns. Critics warned that broadcasting the killing publicly could allow Hasan to be seen as a martyr by those seeking to commit similar acts of mass violence.
Trump’s Saturday remarks came one day after he told reporters he “absolutely” approved the livestream plan. However, his tone on Saturday was notably more cautious, suggesting the matter remains unresolved.
Republican Lawmakers Divided Over Livestream Proposal
The proposal has drawn significant pushback from within Trump’s own party. Several Republican lawmakers voiced strong objections on Friday.
Representative Austin Scott of Georgia wrote on X that he fully supports the death sentence. However, he added, “Live-streaming executions is what jihadists do. America is better than that.”
Representative Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania also pushed back. “An execution shouldn’t be a live-streamed spectacle,” he wrote. “The focus should be on justice for the victims and their families, not turning an execution into entertainment. Their pain deserves respect, not a public show.”
Representative Tom Barrett of Michigan called on Hegseth to reconsider. “Secretary Hegseth should seriously reconsider this decision,” Barrett wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said Friday he was not certain the federal government would go ahead with the livestream. He added that even if it did, he personally would not watch it.
Not all Republicans oppose the idea, however. Representative Matt Van Epps of Tennessee told NBC News on Saturday that parents should simply exercise judgment. “Parents should not let their kids watch that,” Van Epps said. “Just like they should have good parental guidance for social media and other things. This administration is focused on accountability.”
Trump Ally Voices Public Support
Earlier on Saturday, Trump reposted an article from the Dallas Morning News on Truth Social. The article featured comments from Robert Jeffress, the senior pastor of First Baptist Dallas and a prominent Trump ally, who said he supports the plan for a public execution.
The Nidal Hasan execution livestream debate continues to divide opinion across political lines. Trump has indicated he will make a final call, though he has not said when that decision will come.
