Trump expresses doubts about Hegseth's execution livestream plan

On 12 October 2026, Axios reported that President Donald Trump had privately expressed doubts about livestreaming the 3 December firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced public viewing four days earlier. Trump had initially voiced approval, then said he would make the final decision. The dispute concerns the broadcast, not Hasan's conviction or sentence. Vice President JD Vance had also questioned whether the stream would occur. The development placed Hegseth's deterrence rationale under direct review by the president who must decide whether the public broadcast proceeds.