Trump Supports Execution of Fort Hood Shooter by Firing Squad

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday expressed support for the Department of War’s decision to execute the Fort Hood mass shooter, Nidal Malik Hasan, by firing squad. This announcement follows Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's statement that the execution would be broadcast live on December 3. "We’re giving a man the death penalty who killed 14 soldiers a couple of years ago," Trump stated. He added, "Death penalty through firing squad — and, uh, and he deserves it. Killed and wounded many, many people. Maniac." Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, killing 13 people and wounding 32 others. Trump did not comment on the plan to broadcast the execution. Vice President JD Vance, who was traveling for campaign appearances in Ohio, expressed skepticism about the livestream, stating, "I don’t know that that’s actually going to happen. If it’s ultimately livestreamed, I’m not going to be watching it." Hasan, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the shooting, was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder, receiving a death sentence in 2013. Pentagon officials confirmed that Hasan’s execution will occur at Fort Hood. Hegseth emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding the consequences of such actions, stating, "We’re gonna make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public, because people need to understand that there’s serious consequences for these types of things." The last military execution by firing squad occurred during World War II, and some Republicans have expressed discomfort with the decision. Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) warned that broadcasting the execution could corrupt viewers and diminish the gravity of the act. Former Trump administration officials, including ex-National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent, criticized the plan, arguing it could serve as propaganda for terrorists. However, Army Sergeant Alonzo Lunsford, a survivor of the Fort Hood shooting, expressed his intention to attend the execution, stating he wants Hasan to see him and know he survived. The last execution of a U.S. service member occurred in 1961.