Catholic Bishops prompt Trump to cancel Fort Hood shooter livestream

President Donald Trump has canceled plans to broadcast the live execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former psychiatrist responsible for the 2009 Fort Hood massacre. The decision follows objections from Catholic bishops and criticism from lawmakers of both parties.

In a Truth Social post on October 15, Trump confirmed that Hasan will be executed by firing squad on December 3 but stated the event will not be televised. Trump acknowledged that many people would prefer not to witness the death of a condemned prisoner.

The reversal follows a proposal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously stated in an interview with Real America’s Voice that the execution would be broadcast live from Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Trump had initially defended the broadcast as a way to show the world how the United States treats convicted terrorists.

The Catholic Church questioned the morality of the death penalty and the public spectacle of a live broadcast. Hasan's 2009 attack left 14 people dead, including a fetus, and wounded 32 others. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted that Trump had approved the execution on October 5.