Trump approves firing-squad execution of Fort Hood terrorist

Donald Trump has authorized the execution of former U.S. Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan by firing squad, in connection with the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell revealed the decision, which came after a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hasan was found guilty of killing 13 people and injuring dozens at the military base in November 2009. The execution is set to take place following a determination of the appropriate time and location by the Army Secretary.

Parnell described the verdict as "judgment day for Hasan," stating that the first execution of a U.S. soldier by the military in over 60 years is now imminent. During his trial, Hasan acknowledged the attack was meant to prevent soldiers from being deployed to Afghanistan, where he believed they would go to fight fellow Muslims.

With the approval, the military now has the option to use firing squad, gas asphyxiation, or electrocution as methods of execution. This change was made by the Trump administration in April 2026. The last known U.S. military execution was a hanging in 1961, while the last known firing squad execution took place in November 1945.