Plans for Livestream Execution of Nidal Hasan by Firing Squad

<p>Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan by firing squad in December, marking one of the rarest forms of capital punishment in the United States. The execution is scheduled for December 3, 2026, at 1 PM CT at Fort Hood.</p><p><strong>Significance:</strong> This would be the first public execution in the U.S. in approximately 90 years, but it has faced scrutiny, including from President Trump, who has expressed doubt about whether it will occur.</p><p><strong>Background:</strong> Hegseth announced on October 8 that Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 shooting, will be executed in December. Trump has shown unease regarding the livestream despite initially endorsing the idea, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has also raised concerns. Vice President Vance stated he would not watch the execution if it were aired.</p><p><strong>Execution Method:</strong> Execution by firing squad is rare, with only six such executions since capital punishment resumed in 1977, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The last military execution by firing squad occurred in 1945, while the last military execution overall was in 1961.</p><p><strong>Execution Procedures:</strong> The Pentagon has not disclosed specific procedures for Hasan's execution. Typically, a prisoner is strapped to a chair in front of a wall surrounded by sandbags. A medical professional marks a target over the prisoner's heart, and the shooters fire simultaneously from a set distance. If the heart is missed, death can still occur from blood loss.</p><p><strong>Variations in Execution:</strong> Different states have varying procedures for firing squad executions. For example, Utah employs five shooters, one with a blank round, while South Carolina uses three shooters with live ammunition. Hasan's use of a wheelchair may complicate the execution process.</p><p><strong>Legal Status:</strong> Firing squads are legal in Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah. In Idaho, it is the primary execution method as of summer 2026, while Texas only allows lethal injection for capital punishment. Military executions are not governed by state laws.</p><p><strong>Livestream Details:</strong> Few specifics are known about the livestream execution, including where it will be streamed or how viewers can access it. TikTok and Kick have stated that the event would violate their policies. The Army is responsible for determining the method, date, and location of the execution, as per Army Regulation 190-55.</p>