US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that the planned execution of former US Army major Nidal Hasan will be livestreamed, allowing members of the public to watch the proceedings.
A Defence Department official confirmed to the BBC that the execution is scheduled for December 3, a move that has sparked debate over the decision to broadcast it publicly.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist from Virginia, admitted to killing 13 unarmed US soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. The shooting took place inside a medical building at the military base.
The Pentagon announced that Hasan would face execution by firing squad, which would mark the first US military execution in more than 60 years.
Speaking to conservative broadcaster Real America’s Voice, Hegseth defended the planned punishment, saying Hasan would face a firing squad. Asked whether Hasan had made any final requests or contacted Trump, Hegseth dismissed the question and referred to the December 3 date.
The proposed livestream has attracted criticism from legal experts and politicians.
John Mills, a lawyer who works with people sentenced to death, described the plan as unprecedented in the modern era and raised questions about its legal implications.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy also condemned the proposal during an interview with CNN, comparing the planned broadcast to executions carried out by the Islamic State group.
Alonzo Lunsford, a former US Army sergeant who was shot seven times during the Fort Hood attack, said he supports execution by firing squad.
However, he expressed reservations about allowing the general public to watch, saying survivors and families of those killed should have the opportunity to attend.
Lunsford told the BBC that he intends to be present and wants Hasan to know that the survivors have continued with their lives despite the attack.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International reported that more than 2,700 executions were recorded across 17 countries last year.
Public executions were reported in Iran and Afghanistan in 2025, a practice that remains rare internationally.
