The Trump administration plans a public killing

The Trump administration is planning to carry out a public execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army major convicted of a 2009 mass shooting at a military base, according to a Pentagon announcement on October 6, 2026. The execution, if it occurs, would be the first of its kind in over 80 years, with Hasan set to be killed by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood in Texas.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed excitement about making the event livestreamed for public viewing. The announcement has sparked significant backlash, with critics deeming the execution barbaric and promoting a culture of death. Religious groups, politicians, and even the head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops have condemned the plan, viewing it as an affront to religious values and a violation of human dignity.

Despite the widespread opposition, it remains uncertain whether the Pentagon will proceed with the execution, as Hassan's legal team has the option to delay the proceedings through legal challenges in federal court.