US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the execution of former Army major Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, will not be livestreamed, reversing a controversial Pentagon plan that drew criticism from lawmakers, religious leaders and international observers.
Trump said the execution would proceed by firing squad on December 3, with victims' immediate family members permitted to attend.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced that Hasan's execution would be publicly broadcast from Fort Hood, the Texas military installation where the attack occurred.
The execution was scheduled for 1 p.m. Central Time, matching the time of the 2009 shooting.
Hegseth argued that broadcasting the execution would demonstrate the consequences of such attacks and serve as a deterrent.
Trump had initially expressed support for the proposal but subsequently overruled his defense secretary.
According to a White House official, Trump and his advisers were unaware of the livestream arrangement before Hegseth publicly announced it.
In his reversal, Trump acknowledged the potential deterrent effect of broadcasting the execution while recognizing objections from people unwilling to witness it.
He confirmed that the execution itself would remain scheduled.
The broadcasting proposal prompted objections from Republican lawmakers, including Vice President JD Vance, alongside religious figures and international observers.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio opposed the plan, while Pope Leo reiterated his condemnation of capital punishment.
Critics also raised concerns about potential legal restrictions on transmitting graphic material, access by minors and the possibility that broadcasting the execution could glorify the attacker.
Republican Senator John Curtis welcomed Trump's reversal, while Democratic Representative Richard Neal condemned the original proposal.
Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted of premeditated murder after killing 13 unarmed soldiers and wounding 32 others at Fort Hood.
He was paralyzed during the attack and now uses a wheelchair.
The execution remains scheduled for December 3, although possible legal challenges could affect its timing.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.