WASHINGTON, October 15 (Reuters) – The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated on Thursday that the execution of the Fort Hood shooter would not be broadcast live, but that the direct family members of the victims could attend in person.
“I believe that broadcasting the execution for all to see could have served as a strong deterrent, allowing the world to witness how the United States deals with terrorists and scum like Hasan, but many good and well-intentioned people would prefer not to see him die—whether through a live broadcast or any other visual means,” Trump wrote.
“He will die, as scheduled, by a firing squad, but the event will not be broadcast live. That said, the execution may be witnessed in person by the direct family members of the victims, should they wish to do so. They deserve to witness JUSTICE!”
Some fellow Republicans close to Trump, including Vice President J. D. Vance, as well as religious leaders and international observers, expressed reservations about the Pentagon’s plan to televise Hasan’s execution live, scheduled for December 3. Recent polls also indicated that a majority of Americans oppose the live transmission of the act.
Hasan, a former psychiatrist in the U.S. Army, was found guilty at a court-martial of shooting and killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.
