The Pentagon announced that the scheduled execution of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan will be open to the public and streamed live online. Hasan was convicted for the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. The execution is set for December 3.
Officials confirmed the method will be a firing squad. This marks a significant departure from standard federal execution protocols. The decision allows media representatives and victims’ families to attend in person.
If carried out, it will be the first public execution in modern U.S. history. Federal executions are typically conducted behind closed doors at a federal penitentiary. This case has drawn intense national attention for over a decade.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others. The attack occurred at a military processing center on the base. He was sentenced to death by a military court in 2013.
Legal experts expect last-minute appeals to delay the date. Defense attorneys have cited concerns about the firing squad’s constitutionality. The Supreme Court may ultimately decide whether the execution proceeds as planned.
The streaming decision raises questions about media access and public oversight. Pentagon officials stated the broadcast will follow strict security guidelines. No cameras will be permitted inside the execution chamber itself.
Victims’ families have expressed mixed reactions to the public nature of the event. Some see it as a necessary step toward transparency and closure. Others worry the broadcast will revive painful memories and invite unwanted spectacle.
