President Trump approved a U.S. Army firing squad to carry out the death sentence for Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.
Story Snapshot
- Pentagon said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recommended firing squad; President Trump approved it.
- Army Secretary will set the time and place for the execution, which is not yet announced.
- Hasan was convicted in 2013 for the 2009 Fort Hood attack that killed 13 and wounded dozens.
- This would be the first U.S. military execution in more than 60 years, using a historically military method.
Pentagon Announces Approval and Execution Method
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said President Trump approved death by U.S. Army firing squad for Nidal Malik Hasan after a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Parnell posted the approval and reiterated that the method would be a firing squad. Reports match on the approval chain, naming the President as the final decision maker in this step. The decision aligns with the sentence that Hasan already faced after his court-martial conviction for the 2009 attack.
Officials said the Secretary of the Army will set the time and place of the execution. No date or location has been released. That means the legal decision on method is settled, but the scheduling and logistics remain ahead. Coverage from major outlets describes a Monday announcement, dated October 5, 2026, with updates the next day. The Pentagon framed the move as following the chain of command and the established military justice process.
Background: Hasan’s Conviction and Sentence
Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, killing 13 people and wounding more than 30 others. A military jury convicted him in 2013 and sentenced him to death. Reports note years of appeals have run their course, leaving the sentence in place. The new step by the administration addresses how that sentence will be carried out. Media accounts consistently restate the death toll and the jury’s decision in 2013.
Hasan’s case has long stood as a test of resolve against terrorism inside the ranks. Families of the fallen waited for years as appeals moved. The announcement does not reopen guilt or facts. It addresses implementation for a final punishment that military law already permits. Officials tied the choice of method to the Army, not a civilian process, which reflects the nature of the court-martial and the status of the offender at the time.
Why Firing Squad: Rare, Military, and Meant to Finish the Case
Firing squad executions in America are rare and most often linked to military justice. The United States military last carried out an execution in 1961, and firing squads were historically used in wartime discipline. Reports emphasize that this method fits the military context rather than civilian use. The decision moves the case toward closure after more than a decade. It also signals that the chain of command intends to enforce lawful sentences without delay.
The Pentagon announced that Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan will be executed by firing squad (the first U.S. military firing-squad execution since World War II), with Trump’s approval.
— Iran Letest News (@Iran1824) October 6, 2026
For many Americans, this is about justice, duty, and the safety of our troops and families. The 2009 attack struck a U.S. base at home. The process has been long, careful, and by the book. Now the Army Secretary will schedule the final steps. The administration’s action respects the jury’s verdict, honors the fallen, and applies a method rooted in military practice. That approach backs the rule of law and deters future attacks against our service members.
Sources:
nampa.org, upi.com, cnn.com, washingtonexaminer.com
