Fort Hood Killer’s Final Order Signed

The Pentagon emblem between two flags. — Photo: Shutterstock

For the first time since 1961, the U.S. military is moving to carry out a death sentence—by Army firing squad for Nidal Hasan.

Story Highlights

Pentagon said President Trump approved execution by U.S. Army firing squad for Nidal Hasan.
Hasan was convicted for the 2009 Fort Hood attack that killed 13 and wounded 32.
The Secretary of the Army will set the time and place for the execution.
This would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961, making it historically rare.

Pentagon Says Trump Approved Firing Squad for Hasan

Pentagon officials said President Trump approved execution by U.S. Army firing squad for Nidal Hasan after a recommendation from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The announcement specified the method as a U.S. Army firing squad. Officials added that the Secretary of the Army will set the time and place, which aligns with military policy and the chain of command. ABC News reported Army policy requires scheduling within a set window after approval.

Hasan is the former Army major and psychiatrist convicted at court-martial for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. The attack killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, making it one of the deadliest shootings on a U.S. military post. A military jury sentenced Hasan to death in 2013, and he has remained on military death row since that verdict. News reports say families of victims were told a December 2026 date, though the Pentagon’s public statement left timing to the Army secretary.

How Military Law Handles Capital Cases

Military death sentences move through a unique legal track. After trial, cases face multiple layers of military appellate review, with potential federal court action after that. Even with a final judgment, an execution in the armed forces requires presidential approval and action by the service secretary. ABC News noted Army policy outlines a window for scheduling once the President approves, which places the Secretary of the Army in charge of the logistics.

Military executions are exceptionally rare. The U.S. military has not executed anyone since 1961, when Army Private John Bennett was hanged at Fort Leavenworth. That six-decade gap underscores how unusual Hasan’s case is in practice, not just in law. News accounts also highlight that choosing a firing squad is itself rare in modern America, even though the method has deep historical roots in military justice.

Why the Method and Timing Matter Now

The choice of a firing squad signals a strict and final response to a mass casualty attack on a U.S. base. Supporters say it shows government can act with resolve after years of delays in high-profile cases. Critics of government, across the spectrum, often argue Washington moves fast on politics and slow on justice. This case tests that belief by pairing a clear verdict with a long-dormant penalty that is now set to be enforced.

🚨 BREAKING: Nidal Hasan, who killed 12 soldiers and 1 civilian at Fort Hood in 2009, will be executed by firing squad at Fort Hood on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. CT, the Army says.

It would be the first US military execution since 1961 and the first Army firing-squad execution since WWII. pic.twitter.com/dGLz3D9Xf1

— Flash Update (@flashupdatenews) October 7, 2026

If the Secretary of the Army sets the schedule, the government will have to execute precise steps on location, security, and notification. CBS Texas reported that families saw a December 3, 2026 date in an email, but the Pentagon’s public line still points to the Army secretary on time and place. Officials have also noted that legal motions could affect the timetable, as often happens in capital cases.