President Approves Firing Squad Execution for Fort Hood Mass Shooter
Washington, Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
President Trump approved the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, marking the U.S. military’s first execution by this method since World War II.
Presidential Approval Granted for Military Execution
On October 5, 2026, the White House authorized the execution by firing squad of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, marking a significant moment in military justice history [1][5]. President Donald Trump approved the recommendation made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to carry out the sentence for the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas [2][8]. The decision confirms the implementation of capital punishment protocols under the current administration, moving beyond campaign intent to actual policy execution [4]. This approval comes 17 years after the attack that killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, concluding a lengthy legal process that included a 2013 court-martial conviction [1][6].
Historical Precedent and Methodology
The authorized method of execution by firing squad represents a rare departure from modern norms, marking the first time the U.S. military has utilized this method since World War II [1][4]. The last military execution of a service member occurred in 1961, meaning 65 years have passed since the armed forces last carried out a death penalty sentence [5][6]. While the federal government typically uses lethal injection, recent guidance has allowed for alternative methods including firing squads, aligning with practices seen in states like South Carolina and Utah [4][8]. This shift underscores the administration’s commitment to expediting justice through available legal channels.
Administrative Timeline and Logistics
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announced that the Secretary of the Army is now tasked with setting the specific time and place for the execution [5][8]. According to Army policy, the execution must occur within a window of 60 to 150 days following presidential approval, creating a potential timeframe spanning 90 days for scheduling [6]. Internal documents from February 2026, titled “Operation Resolute Justice,” had already directed preparations for transferring condemned prisoners to the federal execution facility in Terre Haute, Indiana [6]. Legal barriers were removed when the U.S. Supreme Court denied Hasan’s petition to appeal his conviction on March 31, 2025 [2].
Political Context and Policy Shifts
This decision aligns with President Trump’s broader policy shift on capital punishment, having reinstated the federal death penalty via executive order on January 20, 2025 [4]. This action reversed the moratorium implemented during the previous administration under President Joe Biden [4]. Defense Secretary Hegseth publicly committed to carrying out the sentence in September 2025, citing the need for justice for victims and survivors [2]. The administration views the death penalty as an essential tool for deterring and punishing lethal violence against American citizens [4]. Statements from Pentagon officials indicate that judgement day for Hasan has finally come, emphasizing the finality of the decision [1][5].