Trump officials now leaning against livestream of execution, sources say

Updated on: October 13, 2026 / 6:37 PM EDT / CBS News

Trump administration officials are leaning against livestreaming the execution of the ex-Army major convicted of the killing of 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, sources familiar with the discussions said. Last week, the Pentagon had said that the public would be able to view the execution live.

President Trump had not yet made a final decision on Tuesday, two of the sources told CBS News.

White House and Pentagon spokespeople didn't immediately comment.

There has been pressure from Congress and elsewhere not to livestream Nidal Hasan's execution by firing squad, which is scheduled to take place on Dec. 3.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last Thursday in an interview with Real America's Voice that the Pentagon planned to make the execution public.

"He's going to get a firing squad of soldiers, as it should be," Hegseth said. "We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public — because people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things."

CNN reported earlier Tuesday that Mr. Trump and his advisers were debating whether to air the firing squad execution live, and that…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/