The execution of the Fort Hood bomber is not to be broadcast live.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reversed plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former U.S. Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people during a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. The decision comes after widespread backlash against the initial proposal. Hasan is set to be executed by a military firing squad on December 3, but the event will not be broadcast publicly, according to Trump. However, the immediate family members of the victims may attend in person, Trump stated. Hasan was found guilty of murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2009 attack at Fort Hood, which left 13 dead and 32 others wounded. He was sentenced to death in 2013 and has remained in custody since. His case has drawn attention due to its significance as the first U.S. military execution in over 65 years. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initially announced that the execution would be made public, saying it would serve as a deterrent and demonstrate how the United States handles individuals like Hasan. He spoke to the conservative media outlet Real America’s Voice, stating that the public should understand the severe consequences of such actions. However, his comments sparked bipartisan criticism. Trump’s reversal followed pressure from various quarters, including retired high-ranking military officials. A group of 72 retired generals and admirals urged the government to abandon the plan, arguing that it would turn Hasan into a martyr and risk exposing children to the execution. Recent polls indicated that a majority of Americans oppose the idea of a live broadcast. John Galligan, one of Hasan’s attorneys, expressed that Trump’s decision was not unexpected. He criticized Hegseth’s initial plan, calling it unwise and inconsistent with military regulations. Galligan noted that Hasan suffers from paralysis below the chest and questioned whether Trump had known about this detail before approving the live-streaming plan. Public executions were historically used in the United States as a form of deterrence, particularly during the American Civil War in the 19th century. The last general public execution in the country occurred in 1936, when a man was hanged in Kentucky in front of thousands of spectators. Internationally, human rights organizations have documented at least 17 public executions worldwide in recent years, including six in Afghanistan and 11 in Iran. Had the U.S. proceeded with its plan, it would have placed itself closer to countries whose practices it often criticizes. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut expressed shock upon learning of Hegseth’s proposal, questioning whether it mimicked the methods of terrorist groups like the Islamic State. While acknowledging the existence of capital punishment in the United States, Murphy condemned the practice of public executions as medieval and akin to tactics employed by extremist organizations. The change in stance highlights ongoing debates around the role of capital punishment and its presentation to the public. Although the execution will proceed as planned, the absence of a live stream marks a shift in approach following intense scrutiny and opposition.