Trump cancels plans to livestream Fort Hood gunman’s execution by firing squad

United States President Donald Trump has cancelled plans to livestream the execution of former Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.

According to the BBC, Trump announced the decision Thursday following mounting criticism over plans to publicly broadcast Hasan’s execution by firing squad.

Explaining his reversal, Trump said “many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die”.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had earlier announced that the execution would be livestreamed, allowing members of the public to witness the punishment.

Trump initially supported the proposal, but Vice-President JD Vance questioned whether the broadcast would proceed, stating that he would not watch it.

Hasan, a former military psychiatrist, killed 13 unarmed American soldiers and wounded 32 others during the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood.

His execution, scheduled for December 3, would mark the United States military’s first execution in more than six decades, according to the report.