The U.S. military has announced the execution of former Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad. It will be the first military execution by firing squad since the end of World War Two.
What Happened
On 5 November 2009, Hasan fatally shot 13 unarmed U.S. soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. The attack occurred in a medical building where soldiers were awaiting routine check-ups and vaccines.
He later admitted in court that he was the gunman and apologized for his actions. During a 2013 court-martial, Hasan stated he believed he was protecting Muslims and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Key Facts
- Hasan was convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted murder.
- The jury panel of 13 officers unanimously recommended the death sentence.
- The Pentagon confirmed the execution will proceed after approval by President Donald Trump.
- It is the first military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad since the end of World War Two.
- Hasan is one of four inmates currently on the U.S. military’s death row.
Background: How Military Executions Work
Under U.S. military law, executions require presidential approval and appellate review. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces previously ruled the military death penalty unconstitutional in 1983.
That decision was reversed by an executive order under then-President Ronald Reagan, reinstating the penalty.
Unlike state-level executions, military executions are governed by specific procedures and are limited in scope and frequency.
Why It Matters
This execution represents a rare and formalized use of capital punishment in the U.S. military. It underscores the legal and institutional continuity of military justice in cases of severe violence.
It also reflects a broader shift in policy under President Trump, who has advocated for the reinstatement of federal capital punishment.
Limitations and Open Questions
While the execution is legally authorized, it remains a rare event. Only four U.S. states currently allow firing squads: Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah.
There was a firing squad execution in South Carolina — a first for the state and a rare occurrence in U.S. history.
Under former President Joe Biden, the Department of Justice had issued a moratorium on federal use of the death penalty. Trump’s executive order reversed that policy.
What to Watch Next
The Pentagon will set the date and location of the execution. The Secretary of the Army will announce these details.
Public attention may grow as this marks the first military firing squad since the end of WWII. The event will be closely monitored by legal experts and military justice observers.
For more on the use of capital punishment in the U.S., see the original BBC report.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Flickr – The U.S. Army – Detectives respond at Fort… by The U.S. Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source
