Pentagon Official Confirms Public Execution of Fort Hood Shooter

An official at the Pentagon confirmed to Al Jazeera that the execution of former US Army Major Nidal Hasan will be available for public viewing. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated in an interview with Real America’s Voice that the execution, ordered by President Donald Trump, will be conducted by firing squad on December 3 at 1 PM US Central Time, coinciding with the anniversary of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that resulted in 13 deaths. Hegseth described the decision to use a firing squad as a "no-brainer" and emphasized the need for public awareness of the consequences of such actions. He noted that Hasan's execution would be livestreamed, with further details to be provided. It remains unclear whether military personnel or spectators will be present at the execution, although US Army regulations require at least two media outlets to witness the event. Historically, no state or federal execution has been televised in the US, and the last public execution occurred in 1936. The last military execution by firing squad was conducted in 1945 for desertion during World War II. The White House did not comment on whether Trump would attend the execution, directing inquiries to the Pentagon. In April, the Trump administration announced that death by firing squad would be an acceptable method for federal executions, alongside gas asphyxiation and electrocution.